Introduction

The human ether-à-go-go related gene (hERG) potassium channel, also known as Kv11.1, is encoded by the KCNH2 gene located on chromosome 7q36.11. The main isoform of the hERG protein contains 1159 amino acids comprising 6 transmembrane segments, a Per-Arnt-Sim (PAS) domain at the N terminus and a cyclic-nucleotide-binding domain (cNBD) at the C terminus1,2. The potassium current conducted by the hERG (I[Kr]) is essential for repolarization of cardiomyocytes after a heartbeat. Reduction of I[Kr] can lead to long QT syndrome (LQTS), which is characterized on the electrocardiogram by prolonged QT intervals and arrhythmia. In fact, hERG plays a role in various physiologic and pathologic processes such as cancer, digestive, secretory and reproductive systems, signaling, diseases of the nervous system as well as development3. However, research on hERG has focused mainly on cardiac repolarization and LQTS3.

LQTS may have severe manifestations including torsade de pointes (TdP), syncope, and sudden cardiac death4,5. Type 2 LQTS (LQT2) refers specifically to a subclass of the disease that is due to genetic mutations in hERG that underlie approximately 45% of all congenital cases1,4. Prolongation of the QT interval may also result from medications that inhibit hERG channels as a side effect of the therapeutic action. Therefore, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has designated hERG as an obligatory anti-target in drug development. Existing drugs may also be withdrawn from clinical use because of their adverse effects on the hERG channel. Well-known examples include terfenadine, cisapride, and astemizole.

For decades, the majority of studies in hERG toxicology have focused on the inhibitory effects of various compounds on hERG channel gating. However, several puzzles remain unsolved when applying the channel blockade theory. For example, arsenic trioxide, a drug used to treat acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), is found to cause QT interval prolongation during APL therapy6. Arsenic trioxide inhibits hERG channel expression without significant channel-blocking activity7. In addition, we previously discovered that ceramide was not able to alter hERG current by acute application (superfusion for 25 min) but rather caused pronounced hERG current inhibition after prolonged incubation for 10 h8. An increasing number of studies are shifting their focus from channel blockade to other aspects of channel regulation. Toxicological mechanisms are often found to function within the biochemical and molecular aspects of physiological processes. Indeed, recent years have witnessed the emergence of a deeper understanding of the biochemical and molecular factors underlying hERG regulation and the corresponding rescue strategies for hERG dysfunction.

hERG channel biogenesis is a multifaceted process. The hERG gene (KCNH2) is transcribed into mRNA in the nucleus. It is believed that only the mRNA that is successfully processed through the nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) checkpoint can be translated in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)9. Nascent hERG channels are formed in the ER after proper protein folding, subunit assembly, phosphorylation, and initial glycosylation. Through the ER-Golgi interaction complex (ERGIC), partially glycosylated hERG enters the Golgi apparatus and undergoes complete glycosylation. Finally, the channel is sorted, carried and inserted into the plasma membrane10. Meanwhile, channels already present on the plasma membrane are dynamically internalized and recycled.

Almost every aspect of hERG channel biogenesis could be potentially affected by genetic or pharmacological factors in a manner that contributes to LQTS. For example, approximately 30% of heterozygous gene mutations of the KCNH2 gene are premature stop codons and subject to NMD, which leads to a 50% functional loss of the hERG channel1. Point mutations G601S and T473P result in hERG trafficking deficiency, and T473P even induces severe TdP and cardiac arrest11,12. hERG protein folding can be disturbed by drugs like arsenic trioxide7. hERG maturation and exportation from the ER are arrested by pentamidine, an antiprotozoal drug13. Moreover, degradation of the hERG protein can be increased by ceramide14.

Given the close relationship between hERG channel dysfunction and LQTS, rescue strategies for hERG channel dysfunction are being developed. For example, low temperature (27 °C) is commonly applied as a rescue strategy by stabilizing the conformation of the hERG channel15,16. In addition, the hERG channel blocker E-4031 is able to remove the trafficking-deficient G601S-hERG channel from a microtubule-dependent quality control compartment and increase export from the ER17. Meanwhile, the hERG channel activator RPR260243 can slow down hERG channel deactivation, increase I[Kr] and reverse dofentilide-induced action potential duration (APD) and prolongation18,19,20. Rescue strategies are also being developed from the biological regulating factors of the hERG channel. Overexpression of Hsp90 successfully rescues expression of the A422T-hERG mutant21.

This article provides an overview of known mechanisms underlying hERG channel regulation, with an emphasis on biochemical and molecular components of hERG biogenesis and possible rescue strategies for hERG dysfunction.

Channel biogenesis and regulating network

The biological regulation of hERG in the nucleus and ER is summarized in Figure 1.

Figure 1
figure 1

Biological regulations of hERG in nucleus and at ER. Transcription of the hERG channel (KCNH2 gene) is under the regulation of transcription factor Sp1 and the NMD mechanism. Hsc70 and Hsp70 at ER are responsible for early folding of hERG while Hsp90 in the cytoplasm is responsible for late folding. Hop, DNAJA2, and FKBP38 assist hERG release from Hsc70. Hop and FKBP38 aid hERG to recruit Hsp90 for its maturation. Hsp40 promotes degradation of hERG in the proteasome.

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Transcription in nucleus

Research on hERG channel transcription is limited and centers primarily on the NMD of premature mRNA. NMD participates mainly in gene expression regulation and mRNA quality control. It has been reported that 30% of KCNH2 gene mutations induce NMD, which is enough to cause a 50% reduction of hERG current thereby decreasing I[Kr]1. It has also been reported that an extensively expressed transcriptional factor, SP1, up-regulates hERG mRNA. Furthermore, drugs may also rescue arsenic trioxide-induced hERG deficiency through up-regulation of SP122. Thus, NMD and SP1 might be good entry points through which interference of hERG dysfunction may occur.

Translation and trafficking through ER and Golgi apparatus

The initial hERG protein is translated in the ER. The initial, immature protein undergoes a series of complex modifications before being transported to the cell membrane. Generally speaking, native hERG protein is folded and assembled with the assistance of chaperones1,23. Properly folded and assembled hERG protein is coated in the COPII vesicle, transported forward to interact with ERGIC and arrives at the Golgi apparatus where it undergoes full-glycosylation1,11.

Channel folding and assembling regulation at ER

hERG channel folding and assembly are under the regulation of a complicated cyclic chaperone system. Among the numerous chaperones, Hsp/c70, Hsp90, Hop, FKBP38, Hsp40, DJA, 14-3-3 protein and GM130 have been best characterized.

Heat shock protein 70 kDa (Hsp70) and its cognate (Hsc70) participate in the folding of native hERG while 90 kDa heat shock protein (Hsp90) is involved in the maturation of late-phase hERG23,24. It is believed that Hsp70 and Hsc70 bind with and regulate the hERG channel in a reciprocal way25. DNAJA2 and Hop assist in hERG release from Hsc7026,27. Hop also aids the hERG protein in recruiting Hsp9027. Hsp90 effectively inhibits mistakenly-folded protein aggregation and promotes hERG maturation23. FKBP38, a 38-kDa FK506-binding protein, interacts both with Hsc70 and Hsp90 and may also be a prerequisite for hERG export from the ER27. Specifically, hERG degradation is thought to be regulated by Hsp40. DJA1 and DJA2, type-I of Hsp40, can decrease the interaction between hERG and Hsc70 thus promoting early degradation of hERG28. A more recent study demonstrated that the N-terminal Cap of the hERG channel is vital for the stability of the Per-Arnt-Sim (PAS) domain, hERG assembly and hERG trafficking29.

Importantly, drugs commonly interfere with channel folding and assembly, both of which are also targeted for rescue of channel dysfunction. It has been confirmed that arsenic trioxide inhibits the hERG channel by disturbing its interactions with Hsp90 and Hsp707. While trafficking deficiency of A422T-hERG can be corrected by Hsp90 overexpression21. FKBP38 has also been shown to partially restore trafficking of F805C-hERG25. Therefore, channel folding and assembly are most likely additional promising entry points for interfering with hERG dysfunction.

Forward trafficking from ER to Golgi

Properly folded and assembled hERG protein is coated in COPII and trafficked to the Golgi. It is believed that forward trafficking in the COPII vesicle is regulated by GTPase Sar1 while backward trafficking in the COPI vesicle is under the regulation of GTPase ARF130. Rab11B is another regulating factor that inhibits forward trafficking of the hERG channel30. At the Golgi, GM130 is the commonly recognized chaperone that regulates hERG channel trafficking. GM130 participates in orienting the channel toward the Golgi by interacting with the C terminal of the hERG channel. However, GM130 overexpression causes hERG current reduction. Furthermore, GM130 might act as a checkpoint for hERG maturation31.

It is well known that most studies on channel trafficking are focused on the ER. However, considering the importance of full glycosylation of the hERG channel at the Golgi, a deeper understanding of the characteristics of the pattern of regulation at the Golgi is essential. Moreover, hypoxia-induced decreased biogenesis of the hERG channel is reported to result from enhanced ROS formation at the mitochondria32. These observations suggest that the physiological and pathological factors taking place in the Golgi and mitochondria are potentially of great clinical significance.

Quality control

The trafficking process is under the regulation of a strict-monitoring mechanism called quality control (QC). QC occurs mainly in the ER. When the hERG protein is unfolded or misfolded, QC will activate the unfolded protein response [UPR, also called endoplasmic reticulum stress response (ERS)] to prevent abnormal forward trafficking. Specifically, chaperones are overexpressed to assist protein folding17. Mistakenly-folded hERG protein is fated to be marked with the C-terminal of the Hsp70-interacting protein (CHIP) and ubiquitin, and degraded at the proteasome by the endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD) mechanism1. For example, G572R-hERG and E637K-hERG mutants up-regulate the activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6)-one early responder of UPR. Downstream targets of ATF6, calnexin and calreticulin, are further increased to help hERG channel folding17.

QC is an essential mechanism that guarantees the correction and clearance of abnormal channels. Understanding this mechanism will help to clarify more physiological and pathological mechanisms and will aid in the discovery of more rescue approaches for hERG dysfunction. This is summarized in Figure 2.

Figure 2
figure 2

Quality control of hERG at ER. Normal hERG is coated in COPII (regulated by ARF-1) to forwardly traffick to the Golgi and interact with GM130. Abnormal hERG is coated in COPI (regulation by Sar-1) and backwardly trafficked to the ER; accumulation of abnormal hERG (especially unfolded hERG) will activate UPR; ATF-6 will shuffle from the ER to the Golgi, ATF-6 is cut to form cleaved-ATF-6 and to travel into the nucleus and upregulate calnexin and calreticulin to assist hERG folding; cATF-6 can, however, promote interaction between hERG and CHIP, then hERG is recognized and marked with ubiquitin to signal its degradation in the proteasome.

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Endocytosis and recycling on cell membrane

The hERG protein that successfully reaches the Golgi is then fully glycosylated. Afterwards, the channel is sorted, sub-located and finally transported to the cell membrane. There, the hERG channel is dynamically internalized into the cytoplasm and recycled back to the membrane1,23.

It is known that many transmembrane proteins lack cytoplasmic sequences that are required for recruitment and internalization into clathrin-coated vesicles33. Caveolin (Cav), dynamin and Arf6 are the most commonly reported members of clathrin-independent proteins that regulate protein internalization, including hERG channel internalization. Caveolin-3 (cav3) and caveolin-1 (cav1) have been reported to co-localize with hERG protein on the cell membrane and regulate channel internalization14. In addition, it has been shown that caveolar endocytosis, involving the caveolin, is dynamin-dependent33. One most recent study discovered that the membranal hERG protein undergoes rapid internalization in an Arf6-involving and dynamin-independent manner34. This process is summarized in Figure 3.

Figure 3
figure 3

Endocytosis and recycling of hERG on cell membrane. Caveolin and Nedd4-2 both co-localize with hERG on the cell membrane. Instability of caveolin or Nedd4-2-dependent ubiquitination increases endocytosis of hERG. Caveolin-related endocytosis is Arf6-dependent and dynamin-dependent. Mono-ubiquitinized and multi-ubiquitinized hERG is degraded in the lysosome and proteasome, respectively. Rab11 promotes recyling of hERG back to cell membrane. Rab4 and SGK3 both decrease Nedd4-2-dependent ubiqtuination of hERG and SGK3 meanwhile promotes Rab11-dependent reclycing of hERG.

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One fate of internalized hERG protein is to be ubiquitinated with the assistance of ubiquitin ligase and then degraded. For example, the WW domain of the ubiquitin ligase Nedd4-2 can interact with the PY motif of hERG channel35. Co-localization of Cav3, Nedd4-2 and hERG protein accelerates hERG ubiquitination and degradation by cav3 and Nedd4-2, respectively36,37. Another fate of internalized hERG protein is to be recycled back to the membrane. Rab11 is one member that assists in this recycling process37. However, it has been reported that Rab4 overexpression reduces hERG channel expression by reducing degradation of Nedd4-238. Moreover, the serum and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 3 (SGK3) and SGK1 have been shown to negatively regulate Nedd4-2-mediated ubiquitination and positively regulate Rab11-mediated recycling37. Thus, the membranal hERG protein appears to be under a dynamic balance of degradation and recycling.

Notably, probucol has been shown to speed up hERG degradation by influencing cav139. Ceramide increases hERG degradation by promoting ubiquitination14. Meanwhile, the trafficking deficiency of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (F508-CFTR) is corrected by knocking down Nedd4-2. Knockdown of SGK1 completely blocked this rescue40. Rab9 is able to rescue progesterone-induced hERG channel trafficking inhibition30. Therefore, Rab9, SGK, and Nedd4-2 are promising candidates that should be exploited for rescue of hERG channel dysfunction.

Other regulation mechanisms

It has been reported that prolonged APD and inhibited I[Ks] can be normalized by an increase in I[Kr], supporting the existence of complementary interactions between I[Ks] and I[Kr]41. I[Kr] and I[Ks] are both important currents that are responsible for cardiac repolarization. I[Kr] is conducted by HERG (α subunit of I[Kr]) and KCNE2 (β subunit of I[Kr]) while I[Ks] is conducted by KCNE1 and KCNQ12. It has been shown that the current of KCNE2-HERG co-expression bares a greater similarity to I[Kr] than single HERG expression and that KCNE2 is also related to LQTS42. hERG can interact with KCNQ1-α via their COOH domains12 and trafficking-sufficient KCNQ1 can modulate the hERG channel43. Moreover, KCNE1 is reported to co-immunoprecipitate with hERG44 and KCNE2 may reduce hERG expression by accelerating degradation45. Thus, interactions among hERG, KCNQ1 and KCNE are essential for their expression46. Importantly, the polymorphisms in the hERG/MiRP1 K+-channel has been reported to potentially increase susceptibility to arrhythmia47,48. Clearly, future studies are needed to clarify the relationships among hERG, KCNQ1 and KCNE proteins and their intrinsic modulating mechanisms.

Ions, temperature, age, gender, and oxidative stress are other factors that regulate the hERG channel. For example, extracellular K+ is a prerequisite for hERG channel function and membrane stability46. Low extracellular K+ will induce channel mono-ubiquitination, and degradation in the lysosome49. Furthermore, internalization and degradation are accelerated under conditions of low extracellular K+46,49. In addition, it is believed that intracellular K+ helps to stabilize hERG conformation thereby facilitating export from the ER50. hERG channel biogenesis rate and function are both decreased under conditions of anoxia due to the formation of ROS in the mitochondria51.

Notably, prolonged APD of R190Q-KCNQ1 can be normalized by hERG channel intervention and trafficking-sufficient KCNQ1 can also rescue decreased G601S-hERG/F805C-hERG channel expression41,43. Understanding these regulatory mechanisms may provide useful rescue strategies for hERG dysfunction.

hERG channel and LQTS

At present, the most common disease related to hERG channel dysfunction is LQTS. Patients with a prolonged QT interval are susceptible to arrhythmia including torsade de pointes and sudden cardiac death. The hERG abnormality associated with induction of LQTS includes acquired LQTS (aLQTS) that is mostly caused by drugs (as shown in Table 1) and congenital LQTS (cLQTS) that is caused by gene mutations (as shown in Figure 4).

Table 1 Mechanisms of hERG channel inhibition by representative drugs.
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Figure 4
figure 4

Schematics of LQT2 mutations. Each green ball represents an amino acid. Each purple, orange and blue point represents one mutation. In addition, the orange points represent mutations showing hERG channel trafficking deficiency and the blue points represent mutations being monitored by the NMD mechanism.

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aLQTS of hERG channel

Many factors may induce aLQTS including hypokalemia, anoxia and diverse drugs49,51,52. Drug-induced aLQTS is the most common type. Drugs like terfenadine have been removed from the market because of the adverse cardiac side effects caused by hERG channel inhibition. So far, approximately 136 drugs (www.crediblemeds.org; www.QTdrugs.org) have been reported to prolong the QT interval. It is surprising that such a diverse categories of drugs are capable of inhibiting the hERG channel including antiarrhythmic, antipsychotic and antidepressant drugs. For example, berberine inhibits the hERG channel causing APD prolongation53. Arsenic trioxide prolongs the QT interval by inhibiting hERG channel expression and increasing the calcium current7. The antidepressant drug, desipramine, induces QT prolongation through multiple pathways that affect the hERG channel. Therefore, the hERG channel is the most common cause for drug-induced aLQTS. These drugs impact the hERG channel mainly by direct blocking and by interfering with pathways involved in biogenesis.

hERG channel blocking

hERG channel blocking is the number one reason for drug-induced hERG channel dysfunction. The hERG channel can be blocked at different sites by different drugs making it important to analyze the blocking process.

From the point of view of different binding sites, Phe656 and Thr652 are the two common sites for drug binding. For example, dofetilide binds to Phe656 to decrease hERG current54. While most drugs block the hERG channel through Phe656 and Tyr652, other sites are also targets. The blocking effect of E4031 and dofetilide on the hERG channel includes Val625, Ser624 and Thr623 (near the pore), Gly648 and Val659 (on the S6 domain), and S631A (between domain 5 and 6)54,55.

When considering different blocking compounds, compounds with nitrogen, hydroxy or a right angle can more easily inhibit the hERG channel56. In addition, an aromatic side chain on Tyr652 and a hydrophobic side chain on Phe656 are needed for cisapride-associated hERG current blocking57. As drugs prefer to form π-π stacking interactions with Tyr652 and Phe656, Tyr652 and/or Phe656 mutations could reduce drug-associated hERG inhibition58. The hydrophobicity and aromatic character at Tyr623, Tyr652 and Phe656 are thought to be the main reasons for blocking59. Van der Waals' force present on the channel surface is also necessary for blocking59.

In conclusion, Tyr652, Phe656, and Tyr623 are the most essential sites for blocking. Val625, Ser624, Ser631, Gly648, and Val659 are also common sites for blocking. There are many different opportunities for blocking such as protonized nitrogen forming hydrogen bonds with the oxygen of carbonyl at Tyr623, a half aromatic ring interacting with π–π stacking at Tyr652 and the hydrophobic part can forming a hydrophobic interaction with the benzene ring at Phe656. New drugs that off-target these binding sites might be one good solution.

hERG channel biogenesis interference

Biogenesis disturbance, especially trafficking inhibition, is an emerging reason for drug-induced hERG dysfunction. Arsenic trioxide disturbs the hERG-chaperone interaction so as to impede channel trafficking7. Higher levels of miR-133 and lower levels of hERG expression are also associated with arsenic trioxide-induced QT interval prolongation60. Pentamidine binds with the hERG channel to arrest its maturation and inhibits exportation from the ER13. It has been reported that pentamidine with a phenyl ring or substituents that can attach to the hERG channel has the largest inhibitory effect on the hERG channel61.

Drugs also influence the hERG channel by their impact on degradation. Probucol speeds up hERG channel degradation through its effects on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and cav123. Ceramide increases channel degradation at the lysosome by promoting channel ubiquitination14.

In fact, many drugs interfere with the hERG channel through multiple pathways. Fluoxetine both blocks hERG current and reduces channel trafficking62. Even desipramine inhibits the hERG channel by blocking, trafficking inhibition, promoting internalization and accelerating ubiquitination-degradation63.

As the majority of the processes involved in biogenesis of the hERG channel are affected by diverse drugs, rescue strategies of hERG dysfunction should be specific to their targets. For example, drug-induced trafficking defects can be minimized if certain chemical features are avoided or removed61.

cLQTS of hERG channel

hERG channel mutation-induced cLQT2 account for approximately 45% of identified LQTS64. It was reported in 2009 that 62% of KCNH2 mutations were missense mutations, 24% were frame-shift mutations, and 14% were nonsense and deletion mutations65. Up to 90% of missense mutations affect channel function by trafficking inhibition66. Mutations are located throughout the entire channel: intracellular domains (52%), trans-membrane domains (30%), pore areas (12%), and extracellular segments (6%)64.

Common mutation characteristics

As shown in Figure 4, mutations are located throughout the hERG channel. Mutations in different areas have different impacts on the hERG channel. In the pore area, G601S manifests as inhibited trafficking while Y611H manifests as increased ubiquitination and degradation11,67. The trans-membrane mutation T473P causes severe TdP and cardiac arrest12. Mutations around T473P such as D456Y, F463 L, N470D, and T474I all manifest as trafficking inhibition with dominant negative effect12. Therefore, it has been inferred that mutations between S2 and the S2-S3 linker probably have serious manifestations. Mutations at the PAS domain do not frequently inhibit trafficking. It has been shown that K28E, F29L, G53R, C66G, L86R cause trafficking deficiency while N33T, R56Q, H70R, A78R do not68. N33T and R56Q are likely to directly influence the membranal hERG channel, while H70R and A78R probably indirectly affect the hERG channel by interacting with surrounding hydrophobic areas69. The red points in Figure 4 show the locations of trafficking-deficient mutants.

In summary, mutations at the pore and trans-membrane domains probably disturb channel trafficking and have severe consequences, while mutations at the PAS domain and the C terminal are likely to have milder consequences. Rescue of the hERG channel dysfunction should consider these types of characteristics and avoid such mutations.

Other mutation characteristics

Considering hERG channel dysfunction mechanism, some mutation-associated hERG inhibitions are regulated by QC. For example, ATF-6, Grp78, Grp94, and calreticulin are all activated to assist in I593R-hERG folding68. UPR is also activated by the E637K-hERG and G572R-hERG mutations17. In addition, some mutations can alter the kinetics of hERG channel. R744P-hERG causes hERG channel dysfunction by reducing activation70. T421M-hERG manifests as both trafficking inhibition and changes in kinetics71. Furthermore, mRNA is decreased via the NMD mechanism for both Q1070X-hERG and Y652X-hERG72,73. Q725X-hERG and R1014X-hERG also cause a C terminal premature truncation74. Recently, a study defined the required segments for susceptibility to NMD-associated LQTS75.

Regarding the type of mutation, those that exclude nonsense mutations also play a certain role in cLQTS. Frame-shift mutations such as P1086fs+32X76, splicing mutations such as 2592+1G>A77, and gene polymorphisms such as K897T, R1047L and Q1068R are all reported to induce cLQTS76,77,78. Specifically, patients carrying the A1116V-hERG mutation without K897T gene polymorphism manifest normal hERG function, while patients carrying A1116V-hERG mutation and K897T gene polymorphism manifest hERG current inhibition79.

Therefore, mechanisms that exclude trafficking inhibition and mutations that exclude nonsense mutations cannot be neglected. Gene scanning should be broad enough to screen out dangerous factors, especially those mentioned above.

Correlation between aLQTS and cLQTS

Research investigating the correlations between aLQTS and cLQTS is limited. One study discovered DNA variants in a patient who experienced drug-induced TdP80. Probucol is also found to accelerate M124T-hERG-associated current inhibition81. Furthermore, hERG gene polymorphism is also correlated with drug-induced hERG channel abnormality39,82.

As patients who carry risky gene mutations are more susceptible to LQTS when they are treated with potentially dangerous drugs, it is necessary to further clarify the correlations between aLQTS and cLQTS. When both aLQTS and cLQTS are taken into consideration, cross-link rescue strategy seems to hold great promise.

Existing and potential rescue strategies

At present, rescue strategies for hERG channel dysfunction mainly include channel blockers, activators, biogenesis regulating factors and other methods. All rescue strategies are summarized in Table 2. Analysis of the merits and demerits of these strategies will help to develop the most appropriate rescue strategies that can be clinically applied.

Table 2 Representative rescue strategies.
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hERG channel activators

Activators seem to be the most promising strategy for rescue hERG channel dysfunction as well as LQTS in vivo. So far, there are approximately 13 reported hERG activators: RPR260243, PD118057, PD307243, NS1643, NS3623, ICA-105574, KB130015, A-935142, mallotoxin, matrine, oxymatrine, carbachol, and N-[N-(N-acetyl-L-leucyl)-L-leucyl]-L-norleucine (ALLN)18,83,84,85,86,87.

Activators prefer to regulate the hERG channel by altering channel kinetics18. Activators are divided into seven types based on their mechanism of activation: (1) RPR260243 mainly affects the hERG channel by altering deactivation18,88. (2) PD118057, PD307243, NS1643, NS3623, and ICA-105574 all influence the hERG channel by regulating inactivation18,19,84,88,89,90. (3) KB130015 regulates the hERG channel by increasing activation18. (4) A-935142 and mallotoxin both regulate the hERG channel by changing multiple kinetics20,83. (5) Matrine and oxymatrine influence the hERG channel by up-regulating transcription instead of changing kinetics22,85. (6) Carbachol increases Nedd4-2 phosphorylation, slows down channel degradation and thus increases hERG channel expression86. (7) ALLN, a known calpain1/2 and proteasome inhibitor, rescues the LQTS2 phenotype by restoring trafficking87.

Importantly, many activators are capable of shortening prolonged APD and the QT interval. For example, RPR260243 is able to reverse dofentilide-induced APD prolongation by slowing down hERG deactivation to increase I[kr]18,19,20. In addition, PD118057 can reduce hERG inactivation, shift up inactivation potential and prevent dofetilide-caused QT interval prolongation18,84. However, PD118057 fails to correct the dominant-negative effect of the E637K-hERG91. ICA-105574 can also disable hERG inactivation and shorten the QT interval in cardiomyocytes18,84. Moreover, matrine and oxymatrine can also rescue arsenic trioxide-induced hERG deficiency and APD prolongation22. ALLN successfully reduces spontaneous arrhythmogenic episodes and markedly reduces APD70/90 of LQTS-specific cardiomyocytes derived from human-induced pluripotent stem cells87.

In conclusion, the hERG channel activators are promising agents to use in the rescue of drug-induced LQTS in vivo. Activators such as RPR260243, PD118075, ICA-105574, and ALLN show the most potential. Matrine and oxymatrine are also promising for the rescue of other types of hERG dysfunction owing to their role in increasing transcription.

hERG channel blockers

hERG channel blockers are widely used to rescue hERG dysfunction in vitro. E-4031, astemizole, fexofenadine and dofetilide are most often chosen. For example, E-4031 is able to remove trafficking-deficient G601S-hERG from the microtubule-dependent QC compartment and increase ER export of the mutant hERG channel17. In addition, astemizole and fexofenadine are both reported to rescue expression deficiency of N470D-hERG15,92. Dofetilide is reported to correct pentamidine-induced hERG defects61.

Nevertheless, there are quite a few barriers due to blockers that limit their application. First, as blockers bind to the intra-cavity of the hERG channel, the rescued channel might be non-conducting1. For example, under conditions of low intracellular potassium, the astemizole-rescued channel is non-conducting50. Second, rescue concentrations of blockers are usually higher than their blocking concentrations, which restricts their application92. However, in the case of fexofenadine, the rescue concentration is 350 times lower than its blocking concentration on N470D-hERG92. Therefore, drugs that are capable of rescuing hERG dysfunction and show a low affinity for the hERG channel are promising. Third, the rescue effects of blockers are often related to their binding sites within the hERG channel and thus, many types of LQTS are not sensitive. Hypoxia-induced hERG trafficking deficiency or T473P-hERG-associated severe TdP can not be rescued by blockers14. Fexofenadine is also unable to rescue V822M-hERG function92.

As a result, hERG channel blockers may not be the most promising in vivo strategy. However, fexofenadine's lower rescuing than blocking concentration makes it a potential rescue of hERG dysfunction clinically.

Potential rescue strategies targeting hERG channel

Not surprisingly, there is great potential to develop rescue strategies from factors that regulate the hERG channel biogenesis. Regulating factors such as FKBP38, Rab9/11B, Hsp90, SGK, Nedd4-2, and KCNQ are the most promising. FKBP38 promotes hERG trafficking and is able to rescue trafficking deficiency of F805C-hERG27. Rab9 is also able to rescue progesterone-induced hERG trafficking inhibition30. Furthermore, expression of trafficking-deficient A422T-hERG can be rescued by overexpressing Hsp9021. Finally, trafficking-sufficient KCNQ1 can restore G601S/F805C-hERG channel expression41,43.

The rescuing effects of the previously mentioned strategies lack specificity. SiRNA interference and the AMO strategy, which targets specific objectives, are designed to rescue the hERG channel defects. For instance, E637K-hERG-targeting siRNA reduces the expression of the mutant channel without affecting expression of the wild type channel93. Allele-specific RNA interference, which targets c.G1681A-KCNH2 mRNA, successfully normalizes hERG current and APD94. Moreover, pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) bring great hope for rescuing of hERG dysfunction95.

Although most of these studies are in vitro, because of their specificity, regulating factors and gene-targeting strategies are quite promising for clinical application.

Other rescuing strategies

Low temperature, glycerol, DMSO and TMO are commonly used to rescue hERG dysfunction15,16,23,69. Temperature 27 °C is often chosen for low-temperature incubation15,16. hERG channel mutations such as K28E, F29L, D456Y, N470D, G601S, F805C, and V822M and hypoxia-induced hERG trafficking inhibition all can be rescued by low-temperature incubation23,69. Chemical chaperones such as glycerol, DMSO and TMO are believed to stabilize hERG channel conformation23.

Interestingly, chemicals that can rescue other abnormalities in other channels are capable of rescuing hERG dysfunction as well. KM57 and KM60, chemicals that can rescue expression deficiency of the CFTR channel, are also able to rescue the G601S-hERG channel deficiency. Specifically, KM57 and KM60 might play their rescuing role by modifying glycosylation of the hERG channel96. This is especially useful when more than one type of channel mutation occurs. In addition, we previously found that acidification markedly potentiated dofetilide-induced blockade of the hERG channel while it weakened quiniding/azimilide-induced hERG inhibition97. Consideration of blood pH should help to reduce drug-induced hERG channel dysfunction.

Conclusion and prospect

In summary, hERG channel biogenesis and the regulating network are quite complex, especially in regard to functions of the ER and dynamic cycling on the cell membrane. There are many biochemical and molecular targets that may induce channel disorders including LQTS. In addition, LQTS-associated mutations spread throughout the whole area of the hERG channel, particularly in the pore area and trans-membrane segments. Trafficking is most often affected. Rescue strategies include activators, blockers, biogenesis regulating factors and other methods.

Looking toward the future, comprehensive consideration and individual treatment of the hERG channel disorder and LQTS are the trends. Activators seem to be the most promising rescue strategy for hERG channel dysfunction and LQTS. Importantly, rescue strategies with great potential await exploitation in the biogenesis regulation network, especially the trafficking process.