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Published on: January 10, 2011
Acute activation of Maxi-K channels (hSlo) by estradiol binding to the beta subunit
M A Valverde1, P Rojas, J Amigo
1Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut, Universidad Pompeu Fabra, C/Doctor Aiguader 80, 08003 Barcelona, Spain. miguel.valverde@cexs.upf.es
Abstract:
Maxi-K channels consist of a pore-forming alpha subunit and a regulatory beta subunit, which confers the channel with a higher Ca(2+) sensitivity. Estradiol bound to the beta subunit and activated the Maxi-K channel (hSlo) only when both alpha and beta subunits were present. This activation was independent of the generation of intracellular signals and could be triggered by estradiol conjugated to a membrane-impenetrable carrier protein. This study documents the direct interaction of a hormone with a voltage-gated channel subunit and provides the molecular mechanism for the modulation of vascular smooth muscle Maxi-K channels by estrogens.
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