Kv7 channels are powerfully regulated by a wide variety of physiological and pharmacological signals. Larsson et al. describe the direct modulation of Kv7 channels by endocannabinoids and explore how combinations of Kv7 activators with distinct subtype specificities might lead to effective and selective drug cocktails.

Calcium gluconate has been empirically administered to hasten recovery of force during an episode of periodic paralysis. By using a genetically engineered mouse model, Uwera and colleagues show that low Ca2+ clearly promotes a loss of force in affected muscle, thereby providing the first evidence for the benefit of maintaining normal Ca2+ levels in this disorder.

Polyamines can modulate membrane excitability by blocking ion flux through ion channels. Suma et al. determined the location of the binding site for polyamines inside a model potassium channel pore.