ObjectiveKcna3 is one of mitochondrial K⁺ channels, which may be associated with apoptosis of myocardium during heart ischemia/reperfusion injury. The aim of this study was to establish a Kcna3 gene knockout mouse model to study the impact of mitochondrial potassium channel in heart ischemia/reperfusion injury, and explore its relationship with heart failure. MethodsA homologous recombination vector was constructed with BAC vector. Strain 129 mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells were targeted knockout of Kcna3 by the homologous recombination vector, and screened with G418 plus GANC. The Kcna3-knockout embryonic stem cells were microinjected into blastula of C57BL/6J mice after superovulation. F1 hybrid mice were bred to obtain mouse aggregation chimeras, and were identified by PCR plus sequencing of tail genomic DNA. ResultsEight Kcna3+/-mice were harvested and identified from 40 gray mice. ConclusionsThe heterozygous Kcna3-knockout mouse model is successfully established and it lays a foundation for further breed homozygous mice. It is a good model for study of the relationship between mitochondrial k⁺ channel abnormality with heart failure, and is of importance in research of drug screening.