From funny current to HCN channels: 20 years of excitation

News Physiol Sci. 2002 Feb:17:32-7. doi: 10.1152/physiologyonline.2002.17.1.32.

Abstract

The "funny" (pacemaker) current has unusual characteristics, including activation on hyperpolarization, permeability to K(+) and Na(+), modulation by internal cAMP, and a tiny, single-channel conductance. In cardiac cells and neurons, pacemaker channels control repetitive activity and excitability. The recent cloning of HCN subunits provides new insight into the molecular basis for the funny channel properties.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Cation Channels
  • Electrophysiology
  • Humans
  • Hyperpolarization-Activated Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Channels
  • Ion Channel Gating / physiology
  • Ion Channels / chemistry
  • Ion Channels / physiology*
  • Kinetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins*
  • Nucleotides, Cyclic / physiology
  • Potassium Channels
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational

Substances

  • Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Cation Channels
  • Hyperpolarization-Activated Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Channels
  • Ion Channels
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Nucleotides, Cyclic
  • Potassium Channels

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