The M channel is a slowly activating and deactivating potassium channel that plays a critical role in the regulation of neuronal excitability. The M channel is formed by the association of the protein encoded by this gene and one of two related proteins encoded by the KCNQ2 and KCNQ5 genes, both integral membrane proteins. M channel currents are inhibited by M1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors and activated byretigabine, a novel anti-convulsant drug. Defects in this gene are a cause of benign familial neonatal convulsions type 2 (BFNC2), also known as epilepsy, benign neonatal type 2 (EBN2).[5]
^Yus-Nájera, E; Muñoz A; Salvador N; Jensen B S; Rasmussen H B; Defelipe J; Villarroel A (2003). "Localization of KCNQ5 in the normal and epileptic human temporal neocortex and hippocampal formation".Neuroscience.120 (2):353–64.doi:10.1016/S0306-4522(03)00321-X.ISSN0306-4522.PMID12890507.S2CID38381189.
Gutman GA, Chandy KG, Grissmer S, et al. (2006). "International Union of Pharmacology. LIII. Nomenclature and molecular relationships of voltage-gated potassium channels".Pharmacol. Rev.57 (4):473–508.doi:10.1124/pr.57.4.10.PMID16382104.S2CID219195192.
Ryan SG, Wiznitzer M, Hollman C, et al. (1991). "Benign familial neonatal convulsions: evidence for clinical and genetic heterogeneity".Ann. Neurol.29 (5):469–73.doi:10.1002/ana.410290504.PMID1859177.S2CID25424485.
Charlier C, Singh NA, Ryan SG, et al. (1998). "A pore mutation in a novel KQT-like potassium channel gene in an idiopathic epilepsy family".Nat. Genet.18 (1):53–5.doi:10.1038/ng0198-53.PMID9425900.S2CID10437379.
Rundfeldt C, Netzer R (2000). "The novel anticonvulsant retigabine activates M-currents in Chinese hamster ovary-cells tranfected with human KCNQ2/3 subunits".Neurosci. Lett.282 (1–2):73–6.doi:10.1016/S0304-3940(00)00866-1.PMID10713399.S2CID28431577.
Main MJ, Cryan JE, Dupere JR, et al. (2000). "Modulation of KCNQ2/3 potassium channels by the novel anticonvulsant retigabine".Mol. Pharmacol.58 (2):253–62.doi:10.1124/mol.58.2.253.PMID10908292.S2CID11112809.
Wickenden AD, Yu W, Zou A, et al. (2000). "Retigabine, a novel anti-convulsant, enhances activation of KCNQ2/Q3 potassium channels".Mol. Pharmacol.58 (3):591–600.doi:10.1124/mol.58.3.591.PMID10953053.
