HCN3

HCN3 is a gene that encodes the protein Hyperpolarization activated cyclic nucleotide gated potassium channel 3. This protein is a member of the potassium channel family of proteins, which are integral membrane proteins that establish the resting membrane potential and shape action potentials in neurons.

Function

The HCN3 gene is part of the larger family of HCN genes, which encode proteins that form ion channels. These channels are responsible for the flow of positively charged ions across the cell membrane. The HCN3 protein specifically is a non-selective cation channel that is activated by hyperpolarization and cyclic nucleotides.

Clinical significance

Mutations in the HCN3 gene have been associated with a variety of medical conditions. For example, some studies have suggested a link between HCN3 mutations and cardiac arrhythmias, a group of conditions characterized by abnormal heart rhythms. Other research has indicated that HCN3 may play a role in pain perception, and that alterations in this gene could contribute to chronic pain conditions.

Research

Research into the HCN3 gene and its associated protein is ongoing. Scientists are particularly interested in understanding how mutations in this gene contribute to disease, and whether targeting the HCN3 protein could be a viable strategy for treating conditions like cardiac arrhythmias and chronic pain.

See also

• HCN1
• HCN2
• HCN4
• Potassium channel
• Cardiac arrhythmia
• Pain perception