KV7 potassium channels: a new therapeutic target in smooth muscle disorders

• Smooth muscle dysfunction underlies many disorders.
• KCNQ-genes are expressed in smooth muscle as well as in brain and heart.
• Enhancing KV7 channels produces relaxation of vascular and visceral smooth muscle.
• Targeting KV7 and other K channels is future therapy.

Potassium channels are key regulators of smooth muscle tone, with increases in activity resulting in hyperpolarisation of the cell membrane, which acts to oppose vasoconstriction. Several potassium channels exist within smooth muscle, but the KV7 family of voltage-gated potassium channels have been identified as being crucial mediators of this process in a variety of smooth muscle. Recently, KV7 channels have been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension, as well as being implicated in other smooth muscle disorders, providing a new and inviting target for smooth muscle disorders.