Genomic organisation and chromosomal localisation of two members of the KCND ion channel family, KCND2 and KCND3

Abstract.

To follow a candidate gene approach for the involvement of the KCND2 and KCND3 genes (Kv4.2 and Kv4.3) in the pathogenesis of the long QT syndrome (LQTS) and Brugada syndrome, it is necessary to determine the genomic organisation of KCND2 and KCND3. We therefore resolved the intron-exon boundaries and flanking intronic sequences and found that KCND2 consisted of six exons and KCND3 of seven exons. Subsequently, we designed the oligonucleotide primers needed for amplifying the coding exons of both KCND2 and KCND3 and established conditions for polymerase chain reaction amplification of each exon from genomic DNA. Furthermore, the chromosomal localisation of KCND2 and KCND3 was determined as 7q31 and 1p13.2, respectively. This information should facilitate the systematic screening of KCND2 and KCND3 exons for mutations in (inherited) arrhythmia syndromes, such as LQTS and Brugada.