Progress in Research of KV1.1 and KV1.3 Channels as Therapeutic Targets

Voltage-gated potassium channels (KV) mainly response in action potential repolarization in excitable cells and also participate in regulating resting potentials in non-excitable cells, involved in diverse physiological processes. This review focuses on potential drug developments targeting the KV1.1 and KV1.3 channels. KV1.1 mainly existing in the nervous system plays key roles in controlling neuronal excitability; while the distribution of KV1.3 in different types of cells contributes to a variety of cellular processes. This article seeks to review the distributions of two channels, their roles in diseases, phenotypes of knockout mice, human channelopathies and selective modulators.