Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Defining the BK channel domains required for beta1-subunit modulation.

John P Morrow1, Sergey I Zakharov, Guoxia Liu

  • 1Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|March 22, 2006
PubMed
Summary

The beta1-subunit modulates large-conductance potassium (BK) channel activity. Its interaction with the alpha-subunit

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Tri-valorization of methanol in a single bioreactor: co-production of enzyme, chemical, and single-cell protein using engineered Pichia pastoris (Komagataella phaffii).

Bioresources and bioprocessing·2026
Same author

[Construction of a methanol-free protein expression system in <i>Pichia pastoris</i> based on the enhanced sorbitol assimilation pathway].

Sheng wu gong cheng xue bao = Chinese journal of biotechnology·2026
Same author

Methanol-based biosynthesis of p-coumaric acid by engineered Pichia pastoris.

Bioresources and bioprocessing·2026
Same author

Renaming the 'OS-D/CSP' Family (Part 1): '4-Cysteine Soluble Proteins' (4CSPs)-Molecular Nomenclature, Structure, Expression, Evolution, Tissue-Distribution, and Pleiotropy.

Insects·2026
Same author

Evaluating the effect of patient education led by medical physicists on anxiety and depression induced by radiotherapy.

Scientific reports·2025
Same author

The Association Between Stimulant Medication Use and Mortality.

Journal of clinical psychopharmacology·2025

Area of Science:

  • Molecular biology
  • Neuroscience
  • Cardiovascular research

Background:

  • Large-conductance voltage- and Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (BK) channels regulate cellular excitability in various cell types.
  • BK channels associate with auxiliary beta-subunits, altering their gating properties in a tissue-specific manner.
  • The beta1-subunit, found in smooth muscle, enhances Ca(2+) sensitivity, slows kinetics, and mediates 17beta-estradiol activation, crucial for vascular function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying beta1-subunit modulation of BK alpha-subunits.
  • To investigate the specific roles of the BK alpha-subunit N terminus in beta1-subunit interactions.
  • To differentiate the effects of beta1 on Ca(2+) and 17beta-estradiol sensitivity from its effects on gating kinetics.

Main Methods:

Related Experiment Videos

  • Truncation of extracellular N-terminal residues of the BK alpha-subunit.
  • Electrophysiological analysis to assess channel gating properties and sensitivities.
  • Comparative analysis of beta1 and beta2 subunit interactions with modified alpha-subunits.

Main Results:

  • Modulation of Ca(2+) and 17beta-estradiol sensitivity by the beta1-subunit can be separated from its effects on gating kinetics via alpha-subunit N-terminal truncation.
  • The BK alpha-subunit N terminus uniquely interacts with the beta1-subunit.
  • Beta2 subunit regulation of the alpha-subunit remains unaffected by N-terminal truncation.

Conclusions:

  • The N-terminal tail of the BK alpha-subunit is critical for the functional interaction with the beta1-subunit.
  • Physical association between alpha and beta1 subunits requires the S1-S3 transmembrane helices of the alpha-subunit.
  • Understanding these interactions provides insight into BK channel regulation in smooth muscle and vascular physiology.