Abstract: Disclosed herein are nucleic acid and polypeptide sequences of mutated KCNQ5 potassium channels which lack responsiveness to the potassium channel activator retigabine. Also disclosed herein are methods and kits related to the use of the aforementioned mutated KCNQ5 potassium channels.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are nucleic acid and polypeptide sequences of a novel rat voltage-gated potassium channel, KCNQ5. Also disclosed herein are methods related to the use of the aforementioned potassium channel.

Abstract: The present invention involves an assay system and method of selecting compounds useful in the treatment of bladder instability and related bladder conditions through the activation of KCNQ potassium channels in the bladder smooth muscle.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and pharmaceutical compositions for treating, inhibiting or preventing hyperactive gastric motility in a mammal utilizing agonists of KCNQ potassium channels, including KCNQ2, KCNQ3, KCNQ4 and KCNQ5 potassium channels, alone or in combination. The hyperactive gastric motility may be associated with maladies including, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn's disease. Compounds useful in these methods include the 1,2,4-triamino-benzene derivatives described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,384,330 (Dieter et al.) and the substituted 3-phenyl oxindole compounds described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,565,483 (Hewawasam et al.). Among the preferred compounds of this invention is N-[2-amino-4-(4-fluorobenzylamino)-phenyl]carbamic acid ethyl ester, also referred to as retigabine.

Abstract: The present invention involves an assay system and method of selecting compounds useful in the treatment of bladder instability and related bladder conditions through the activation of KCNQ potassium channels in the bladder smooth muscle.