Inhibition of KV1.3-KV1.x heterotetramers by KV1.3-specific inhibitory peptides

The KV1.3 voltage-gated K+ channel belongs to the Shaker-related KV1 subfamily. KV1.3 primarily expresses in immune cells and is implicated in a range of autoimmune diseases and neuroinflammatory disorders. It is also expressed in CNS, and a large body of evidence suggests that the KV1.3 alpha subunit can assemble with other KV1.x subunits (KV1.1-KV1.6) to form functional heterotetrameric channels with various stoichiometries and intermediate biophysical and pharmacological properties. A number of peptide toxins have been described from venomous animals that block KV1.3 with high affinity.