Large-conductance Ca^(2+)-activated K+channels(BK channels)constitute an key physiological link between cellular Ca^(2+) signaling and electrical signaling at the plasma membrane.Thus these channels are critical to th...Large-conductance Ca^(2+)-activated K+channels(BK channels)constitute an key physiological link between cellular Ca^(2+) signaling and electrical signaling at the plasma membrane.Thus these channels are critical to the control of action potential firing and neurotrans-mitter release in several types of neurons,as well as the dynamic control of smooth muscle tone in resis-tance arteries,airway,and bladder.Recent advances in our understanding of K^(+) channel structure and function have led to new insight toward the molecular mecha-nisms of opening and closing(gating)of these chan-nels.Here we will focus on mechanisms of BK channel gating by Ca^(2+),transmembrane voltage,and auxiliary subunit proteins.展开更多
基金supported in part by the National Institute of General Medical Science of the National Institutes of Health(Grant No.R01GM068523).
文摘Large-conductance Ca^(2+)-activated K+channels(BK channels)constitute an key physiological link between cellular Ca^(2+) signaling and electrical signaling at the plasma membrane.Thus these channels are critical to the control of action potential firing and neurotrans-mitter release in several types of neurons,as well as the dynamic control of smooth muscle tone in resis-tance arteries,airway,and bladder.Recent advances in our understanding of K^(+) channel structure and function have led to new insight toward the molecular mecha-nisms of opening and closing(gating)of these chan-nels.Here we will focus on mechanisms of BK channel gating by Ca^(2+),transmembrane voltage,and auxiliary subunit proteins.
