Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Enrichment of Mammalian Tissues and Xenopus Oocytes with Cholesterol
Published on: March 25, 2020
Beta-subunits are important modulators of the acute response to alcohol in human BK channels
Paula L Feinberg-Zadek1, Steven N Treistman
1Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA. feinberg@mit.edu
Background:
The BK channel (a Ca2+-activated potassium ion channel encoded by the slo gene) has been defined as a target of alcohol action in a number of preparations, possibly serving as primary mediator of intoxication in the Caenorhabditis elegans model system. However, we know little of the actions of alcohol on human BK, nor the consequences of BK subunit composition on alcohol action.
Methods:
Here, we use human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells to express various subunit combinations (hslo alpha+beta1 or beta4) of human BK, and examine the acute actions of alcohol on this channel using single channel recording techniques.
Results:
The human channel is potentiated by alcohol, although the presence of the beta1, and to a lesser extent, beta4-subunit, significantly reduced acute ethanol potentiation. Potentiation increased with concentration up to an asymptote, at which point potentiation decreased. The concentration of the asymptote differed according to subunit composition. The mechanism of potentiation was also subunit-dependent, with 25 mM ethanol affecting the mean open time of hSlo+beta4 channels, whereas channel open time was unaffected by the presence of beta1. The possibility that the known effect of the beta-subunit on calcium sensitivity accounts for its modulation of acute alcohol action is discussed.
Conclusion:
Our data reinforce the idea that, as in other systems, BK may play a major role in alcohol's actions in humans, and highlight the potential role of channel subunit composition in the response to alcohol.
Related Concept Videos
Adrenergic Receptors: β Subtype
Isoprenaline > Adrenaline > Noradrenaline
Neurotransmitter binding to these receptors causes activation of adenylyl cyclase resulting in increased concentrations of cAMP and modulation of calcium ion channels within the cell. They are further classified into β1, β2, and β3 subtypes.
β1-adrenoceptors: β1-adrenoceptors have equal affinities for...
Cooperative Allosteric Transitions
Adrenergic Receptors: ɑ Subtype
Adrenaline ≥ Noradrenaline >> Isoprenaline
α-adrenoceptors are further divided into α1 and α2-adrenoceptors.
α1-Adrenoceptors: These receptors are located postsynaptically on the effector organs and cause constriction of smooth muscle mediated by activation of phospholipase C—inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate...
Antihypertensive Drugs: Action of β1 Blockers
Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism
G-Protein Gated Ion Channels
Sensory organs,...

