Kv11.2 (erg2) is a member of the ether-a-go-go (EAG) subfamily of voltage-dependent K+ channels. The erg subfamily includes the closely related proteins Kv11.1 (erg1) and Kv11.3 (erg3) that possess the signature structure of the voltage-dependent K+ channels: six membrane-spanning domains with intracellular N and C termini. As with all voltage-dependent K+ channels, the functional channel is a tetramer composed of four subunits. It has been suggested that the Kv11 subfamily members can form functional heteromultimers within the subfamily.
Kv11.2 produces currents characterized by strong inward rectification with slow activation and very rapid inactivation kinetics, which closely resemble those produced by the much studied channel Kv11.1.
The expression of Kv11.2 seems to be limited to the brain and the pituitary gland. The same is true for the Kv11.3 protein, while Kv11.1 is more widely expressed.
From a pharmacological point of view, Kv11.2 channels can be blocked by well characterized organic blockers such as the anti-arrhythmic drug E-4031 (#E-500). In addition, the peptide toxins Ergtoxin-1 (#RTE-450) and BeKm-1 (#RTB-470), block Kv11.2 with different potencies.
Alomone has now produced a new Anti-Kv11.2 antibody directed against a highly conserved epitope of the human protein. The antibody was used to detect Kv11.2 in rat samples using both Western blotting and immunohistochemistry.
