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Mouse Models of Benign Familial Neonatal Convulsions (BFNC): Mutations in KCNQ (Kv7) Genes

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Animal Models of Epilepsy

Part of the book series: Neuromethods ((NM,volume 40))

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Abstract

Benign familial neonatal convulsions (BFNC) is caused by mutations in the KCNQ2 (Kv7.2) or KCNQ3 (Kv7.3) genes. These genes encode the KCNQ2 and KCNQ3 subunits that comprise the neuronal M-type potassium channel (M channel). While numerous studies have provided evidence for the inhibitory role of normally functioning M channels in key brain structures related to seizures and epileptogenesis, the BFNC sequelae from mutation to seizure and ultimately to remission is likely very complex. In an effort to determine the role of the KCNQ genes in epilepsy, a number of mouse models with either spontaneous or transgenic mutations or targeted deletions in the Kcnq2 or Kcnq3 gene have been described. We discuss seminal findings from the Kcnq2 knockout, the dominant-negative Kcnq2 G279S, the Szt1, and finally the recently described Kcnq2 and Kcnq3 knockin, mice. The approach of combining whole-animal behavior with single-cell biophysics in mouse models of BFNC has helped solidify the link between attenuated I K(M) function and increased seizure susceptibility that results from Kcnq2 and Kcnq3 mutations. The mouse models described here have all significantly contributed to our understanding of how mutations in these genes might precipitate human epilepsy and further elucidated the neurophysiologic role of I K(M).

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported in part by grants from the NIH (RO1 NS-32666 to ML, RO1 NS-44210 to KSW), the W.M. Keck Foundation (to M.L.), and the Primary Children's Medical Center Foundation (KSW).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

    Nanda A. Singh & Mark F. Leppert

  2. Anticonvulsant Drug Development Program, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

    James F. Otto & H. Steve White

  3. Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

    Karen S. Wilcox

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  1. Nanda A. Singh
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  2. James F. Otto
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  3. Mark F. Leppert
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    © 2009 Humana Press, a part of Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

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    Singh, N.A., Otto, J.F., Leppert, M.F., White, H.S., Wilcox, K.S. (2009). Mouse Models of Benign Familial Neonatal Convulsions (BFNC): Mutations in KCNQ (Kv7) Genes. In: Baraban, S. (eds) Animal Models of Epilepsy. Neuromethods, vol 40. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-263-6_7

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