How to fluorescently label the potassium channel: A case in hERG.

hERG (Human ether-a-go-go-related gene) potassium channel, which plays an essential role in cardiac action potential repolarization, is responsible for inherited and drug-induced long QT syndrome. Recently, the Cryo-EM structure capturing the open conformation of hERG channel was determined, thus pushing the study on hERG channel at 3.8 Å resolution. This report focuses primarily on summarizing the design rationale and application of several fluorescent probes that target hERG channels, which enables dynamic and real-time monitoring of potassium pore channel affinity to further advance the understanding of the channels.