Regulation of ion channels by integrins
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Updated: Oct 1, 2026

A Flow Cytometry-Based High-Throughput Technique for Screening Integrin-Inhibitory Drugs
Published on: February 2, 2024
Michael J Davis1, Xin Wu, Timothy R Nurkiewicz
1Department of Medical Physiology, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Texas A&M University System Health Science Center, College Station, USA. mjd@tamu.edu
Abstract:
Ion channels are regulated by protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of serine, threonine, and tyrosine residues. Evidence for regulation of channels by tyrosine phosphorylation comes primarily from investigations of the effects of growth factors, which act through receptor tyrosine kinases. The purpose of the present work is to summarize evidence for the regulation of ion channels by integrins, through their downstream, nonreceptor tyrosine kinases. We review both direct and indirect evidence for this regulation, with particular emphasis on Ca2+-activated K+ and voltage-gated Ca2+ channels. We then discuss the critical roles that cytoskeletal, focal-adhesion, and channel-associated scaffolding proteins may play in localizing nonreceptor tyrosine kinases to the vicinity of ion channels. We conclude by speculating on the physiological significance of these regulatory pathways.
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