The human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) K⁺ channel is of great medical and pharmaceutical relevance. Inherited mutations in hERG result in congenital long-QT syndrome which is associated with a markedly increased risk of cardiac arrhythmia and sudden death. hERG K⁺ channels are also remarkably susceptible to block by a wide range of drugs, which in turn can cause drug-induced long-QT syndrome and an increased risk of sudden death. The recent determination of the near-atomic resolution structure of the hERG K⁺ channel, using single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), provides tremendous insights into how these channels work. It also suggests a way forward in our quest to understand why these channels are so promiscuous with respect to drug binding.

的人类ether-A-GO-go相关基因（hERG的）K ⁺通道具有重大的医疗和制药相关性。hERG的遗传突变会导致先天性长QT综合征，这与心律不齐和猝死的风险显着增加有关。hERG K ⁺通道也非常容易受到多种药物的阻断，进而可能导致药物诱发的长QT综合征和突然死亡的风险增加。hERG K ⁺的近原子拆分结构的最新测定使用单粒子低温电子显微镜（cryo-EM）通道，可以深入了解这些通道的工作原理。这也为我们寻求了解为什么这些渠道为何在药物结合方面如此混杂提供了一条前进的道路。