Mahida Saagar
Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds, United Kingdom.
Heart Rhythm. 2014 Jul;11(7):1233-8. doi: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2014.03.045. Epub 2014 Mar 25.
The small conductance calcium-activated potassium (SK) channels are an important group of potassium-selective ion channels. SK channels display more pronounced expression in the atrium relative to the ventricle. Current evidence relating to the functional role of SK channels in the atria is conflicting and whether these channels contribute to atrial repolarization under physiological circumstances is a matter of debate. Multiple studies have, however, reported that SK channels are important mediators of proarrhythmogenic electrical remodeling in the atria. In keeping with their expression profile, SK channels do not appear to play a prominent role in ventricular repolarization. SK channels represent potentially attractive therapeutic targets for atrial fibrillation. A number of pharmacological modulators of SK channels have been tested in animal models of atrial fibrillation. However, these studies have also demonstrated inconsistent results and have raised important questions regarding the proarrhythmogenic potential of SK channel modulation. These findings have important implications for drug development. This review summarizes the role of SK channels in cardiac electrophysiology and discusses the potential role of these channels as therapeutic targets.
小电导钙激活钾（SK）通道是一类重要的钾选择性离子通道。相对于心室，SK通道在心房中的表达更为明显。目前有关SK通道在心房中功能作用的证据相互矛盾，这些通道在生理情况下是否有助于心房复极仍是一个有争议的问题。然而，多项研究报告称，SK通道是心房致心律失常电重构的重要介质。与它们的表达谱一致，SK通道似乎在心室复极中不发挥突出作用。SK通道是心房颤动潜在的有吸引力的治疗靶点。一些SK通道的药理学调节剂已在心房颤动动物模型中进行了测试。然而，这些研究也显示出不一致的结果，并引发了关于SK通道调节的致心律失常潜力的重要问题。这些发现对药物开发具有重要意义。本综述总结了SK通道在心脏电生理学中的作用，并讨论了这些通道作为治疗靶点的潜在作用。
