hv1

Hv1, or Hv1 proton channel, refers to a voltage-gated proton channel widely studied in animal cells. It is encoded by the HVCN1 gene in humans and has conserved homologs across many species. The channel is expressed in a range of cell types, including neutrophils, macrophages, B cells, sperm, and some neurons and glial cells. Hv1 channels are activated by membrane depolarization and by shifts in the cellular pH gradient, and they conduct protons selectively, rather than other ions. Structurally, Hv1 forms a homodimer in the plasma membrane; each subunit contains a voltage-sensing domain that governs proton permeation, and the overall conductance is modulated by the intracellular and extracellular pH balance.

Physiological role and distribution: In phagocytes, Hv1 provides charge compensation during the NADPH oxidase–driven respiratory burst, enabling sustained production of reactive oxygen species and helping regulate intracellular pH. In other cells, Hv1 participates in diverse processes such as sperm function, synaptic activity, and various contexts where tight pH regulation and redox signaling are important. The channel’s activity is influenced by the pH gradient, and it can be inhibited by extracellular zinc ions and certain pharmacological blockers.

Clinical and research context: Research on Hv1 explores its contributions to immune responses, inflammation, neuroscience, and cancer biology, with ongoing interest in how altered proton extrusion and ROS production affect disease. While Hv1 is a primary meaning in physiology, the symbol hv1 can have other, unrelated uses in different fields, so context is important for disambiguation.