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Updated: Feb 1, 2026

Use of Label-free Optical Biosensors to Detect Modulation of Potassium Channels by G-protein Coupled Receptors
Published on: February 10, 2014
How to Fluorescently Label the Potassium Channel: A Case in hERG
Xiaomeng Zhang1, Beilei Wang1, Zhenzhen Liu1
1Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (MOE), School of Pharmacy, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China.
Abstract:
hERG (Human ether-a-go-go-related gene) potassium channel, which plays an essential role in cardiac action potential repolarization, is responsible for inherited and druginduced long QT syndrome. Recently, the Cryo-EM structure capturing the open conformation of hERG channel was determined, thus pushing the study on hERG channel at 3.8 Å resolution. This report focuses primarily on summarizing the design rationale and application of several fluorescent probes that target hERG channels, which enables dynamic and real-time monitoring of potassium pore channel affinity to further advance the understanding of the channels.
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