Publication: Functional genomics of cardiac ion channel genes.

About

Ion channels are an ensemble of specialized membrane proteins that act in concert to create and modulate the electrical activity of many excitable cells, including cardiac myocytes. Following completion of the sequencing of various genomes, including that of the human, the complete repertoire of ion channel genes has been elucidated for different species. How transcripts issued from this gene collection are expressed and modulated in relation to variable physiological and pathological situations is the subject of functional or physiological genomics. Specialized microarrays (IonChips) including probes for the ensemble of ion channel and regulatory genes were developed as an alternative to whole-genome DNA chips. Physiological genomics of cardiac ion channel genes is a growing field that, in combination with genetics, should markedly increase our understanding of the molecular mechanisms leading to arrhythmias.