Technologies

One of the key potassium channels in the heart is formed by the co-assembly of protein products from the KvLQT1 (KCNQ1) and minK (KCNE1) genes, which produce the slowly activating delayed rectifier potassium current (I _Ks ). Abnormalities in either of these genes can cause long QT syndrome, a disorder associated with delayed cardiac repolarization, prolonged electrocardiographic QT intervals, and the development of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death. UW-Madison researchers have developed an HEK 293 cell line that stably expressesKvLQT1andminK. Since unintended block of potassium channel activity by drugs can cause an acquired form of long QT syndrome, which leads to potentially fatal arrhythmias, this system provides an important screening tool for drugs in development.

The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) is seeking commercial partners interested in developing an HEK 293 cell line that stably expresses KvLQT1 and mink .