HCN2
HCN2 is a hyperpolarization-activated ion channel, permeable to sodium and potassium ions, that contributes to native pacemaker activity in the heart and brain. It is also known as BCNG-2, BCNG2 and HAC-1, and belongs to the potassium channel HCN family. Browse Assay Genie's current range of HCN2 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
HCN2 is an ion channel that opens in response to hyperpolarization and conducts both sodium and potassium ions, with lower selectivity for K(+) over Na(+). It contributes to the native pacemaker currents of the heart (If) and of neurons (Ih), which help set the rhythm of electrical activity in these cells. The channel is activated by cAMP and can produce a fast, large current. UniProt also notes that it can transport ammonium in the distal nephron.
The HCN2 protein is located in the cell membrane and belongs to the potassium channel HCN family. HGNC places the gene in the cyclic nucleotide gated channels group. Its full name is hyperpolarization activated cyclic nucleotide gated potassium and sodium channel 2; earlier names described it as a potassium channel, and the aliases BCNG-2, BCNG2 and HAC-1 are still found in the literature. Mouse and rat both carry an orthologous Hcn2 gene, which makes rodent models a common route for studying the channel.
HCN2 has been linked to disease and physiology in several settings. It is involved in the initiation of neuropathic pain in sensory neurons, and defects in the HCN2 gene have been noted as a possible cause of some forms of epilepsy. Researchers studying the HCN2 protein therefore often compare it with other HCN channels, including HCN1 and HCN4, to understand how individual subtypes shape pacemaker activity in different tissues.
HCN2 contributes to the native pacemaker current (If) in the heart, making it relevant to studies of cardiac rhythm generation.
The channel contributes to the neuronal pacemaker current (Ih) and to pacemaker activity in the brain.
HCN2 is involved in the initiation of neuropathic pain in sensory neurons, which makes it a focus for pain mechanism research.
Defects in the HCN2 gene have been noted as a possible cause of some forms of epilepsy.
HCN2 forms a hyperpolarization-activated channel in the cell membrane that is permeable to sodium and potassium ions. It contributes to pacemaker currents in the heart (If) and in neurons (Ih), is activated by cAMP, and can also transport ammonium in the distal nephron.
HCN2 is also called BCNG-2, BCNG2 and HAC-1. Its previous HGNC names described it as a hyperpolarization activated cyclic nucleotide-gated potassium channel 2; the current name reflects its permeability to both potassium and sodium.
Mouse and rat each have an orthologous Hcn2 gene. In humans, HCN2 is involved in the initiation of neuropathic pain in sensory neurons, and defects in the gene were noted as a possible cause of some forms of epilepsy. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other HCN family channels involved in pacemaker activity in the heart and nervous system.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt Q9UL51; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.