Defective X-gating caused byde novogain-of-function mutations inKCNK3underlies a developmental disorder with sleep apnea

AbstractSleep apnea is a common disorder that represents a global public health burden.KCNK3encodes TASK-1, a K+channel implicated in the control of breathing, but its link with sleep apnea remains poorly understood. Here we describe a novel developmental disorder with sleep apnea caused by rarede novogain-of-function mutations inKCNK3. The mutations cluster around the ‘X-gate’, a gating motif which controls channel opening, and produce overactive channels that no longer respond to inhibition by G-protein coupled receptor pathways, but which can be inhibited by several clinically relevant drugs. These findings demonstrate a clear role for TASK-1 in sleep apnea and identify possible therapeutic strategies.