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Calcium- and voltage-gated BK channels in vascular smooth muscle

Alex M Dopico1, Anna N Bukiya2, Jonathan H Jaggar3

  • 1Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 71 South Manassas St., Memphis, TN, 38163, USA. adopico@uthsc.edu.

Pflugers Archiv : European Journal of Physiology
|May 12, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Large-conductance calcium- and voltage-gated potassium (BK) channels regulate vascular smooth muscle contraction. This review details BK channel function, regulation, and dysfunction in diseases like hypertension.

Area of Science:

  • Physiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cardiovascular Research

Background:

  • Vascular smooth muscle (SM) ion channels are critical for regulating myogenic tone and contractility.
  • Calcium- and voltage-gated potassium channels of large conductance (BK channels) play a key role by mediating outward currents that hyperpolarize the cell membrane.
  • This hyperpolarization acts as a negative feedback mechanism, counteracting depolarization-induced calcium influx and SM contraction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the molecular basis of vascular smooth muscle BK channels.
  • To explore the role of subunit composition and trafficking in regulating myogenic tone and vascular contractility.
  • To discuss BK channel modulation by endogenous, paracrine, and endocrine mediators, and their functional changes in physiological conditions and pathologies.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing research on BK channels in vascular smooth muscle.
  • Analysis of molecular mechanisms, including subunit composition and trafficking.
  • Examination of regulatory pathways involving signaling molecules and mediators.
  • Assessment of BK channel function in disease states such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension.

Main Results:

  • Vascular smooth muscle BK channels are complex molecular entities whose function is determined by subunit composition and trafficking.
  • BK channel activity is modulated by a variety of endogenous signaling molecules and extracellular mediators.
  • Functional alterations in smooth muscle BK channels are associated with common physiological conditions and pathologies.

Conclusions:

  • BK channels are essential regulators of vascular smooth muscle function and tone.
  • Dysregulation of BK channel molecular basis, modulation, or function contributes to cardiovascular pathologies.
  • Understanding these channels offers potential therapeutic targets for vascular diseases.
Keywords:
Calcium signalingKCNMB1 geneMaxiK channelSlo1 geneVascular pathophysiologyVascular smooth muscle

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