Technologies

Re-polarization of the cardiac action potential, which plays a critical role in maintaining normal cardiac rhythm, occurs mainly due to the action of potassium ion (K+) currents in the heart. The most important of these currents is the delayed rectifier current I _K , which has two components, I _Ks and I _Kr . In long Q-T (LQT) syndrome, the electrocardiographic Q-T interval is increased due to delayed re-polarization of the cardiac action potential, leading in some cases to potentially fatal arrhythmias. Drugs that cause LQT syndrome act by inhibiting I _Kr , which is encoded by HERG (human eag-related gene). UW-Madison researchers have cloned the full-length cDNA of the HERG-1 cardiac potassium channel gene into human embryonic kidney (HEK 293) cells, allowing expression of these channels in an experimental system. Since unintended block of HERG channel activity by drugs can lead 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 the full-length cDNA of the HERG-1 cardiac potassium channel gene, which has been cloned into human embryonic kidney (HEK 293) cells.