Kv11.3 (erg3) 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 Kv11.2 (erg2) 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.
The current of the Kv11.1 and Kv11.2 channels is that of a strong inward rectifier with slow activating kinetics. The Kv11.3 channel has different biophysical properties: it is a weak inward rectifier that is activated at negative potentials and has rapid activating kinetics.
Kv11.3 expression is believed to be concentrated mainly in the brain with the stronger expression detected in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus.
At the moment there is not much pharmacological information concerning Kv11.3 modulation, but the channel has been shown to be inhibited (as are all Kv11 subfamily members) by the anti-arrhythmic E-4031 as well as by the anti-psychotic drugs sertindole and pimozide.
We have now produced a new Anti-Kv11.3 antibody that is directed against a highly conserved epitope of the rat protein. The antibody will also react with human and mouse samples.
