Potassium/sodium hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channel 2 is a
protein
Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residue (biochemistry), residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including Enzyme catalysis, catalysing metab ...
that in humans is encoded by the ''HCN2''
gene
In biology, the word gene has two meanings. The Mendelian gene is a basic unit of heredity. The molecular gene is a sequence of nucleotides in DNA that is transcribed to produce a functional RNA. There are two types of molecular genes: protei ...
.
Interactions
HCN2 has been shown to
interact with
HCN1 and
HCN4.
[
]
Function
The function of the channel is not known although its activation by hyperpolarization alludes to the funny channels in the sinoatrial node
The sinoatrial node (also known as the sinuatrial node, SA node, sinus node or Keith–Flack node) is an ellipse, oval shaped region of special cardiac muscle in the upper back wall of the right atrium made up of Cell (biology), cells known as pa ...
of the heart (which form the basis of spontaneous generation of electrical rhythm). These channels have recently been associated with chronic pain and blocking the gene is associated with resolution of neuropathic episodes of pain
Pain is a distressing feeling often caused by intense or damaging Stimulus (physiology), stimuli. The International Association for the Study of Pain defines pain as "an unpleasant sense, sensory and emotional experience associated with, or res ...
.
See also
* Cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channel
Cycle, cycles, or cyclic may refer to:
Anthropology and social sciences
* Cyclic history, a theory of history
* Cyclical theory, a theory of American political history associated with Arthur Schlesinger, Sr.
* Social cycle, various cycles in ...
References
Further reading
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External links
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Ion channels
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