Identification of quaternary ammonium compounds as potent inhibitors of hERG potassium channels.

ABSTRACT: The human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) channel, a member of a family of voltage-gated potassium (K(+)) channels, plays a critical role in the repolarization of the cardiac action potential. The reduction of hERG channel activity as a result of adverse drug effects or genetic mutations may cause QT interval prolongation and potentially leads to acquired long QT syndrome. Thus, screening for hERG channel activity is important in drug development. Cardiotoxicity associated with the inhibition of hERG channels by environmental chemicals is also a public health concern. To assess the inhibitory effects of environmental chemicals on hERG channel function, we screened the National Toxicology Program (NTP) collection of 1408 compounds by measuring thallium influx into cells through hERG chann

SUBMITTER: Xia M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3079779 | biostudies-literature | 2011 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature