Electrophysiology of intestinal cholecystokinin secretion

The control of gastrointestinal CCK secretion may occur at several points. A decrease in potassium conductance may depolarize the plasma membrane, activating calcium channels with a resultant stimulation in CCK release. The opposite may occur with increases in potassium conductance. The model presented in Fig. 8 suggests that the key control point in the understanding of CCK secretion is the regulation of L-type calcium channels. Whether a single second messenger pathway may regulate calcium channels stimulated by agents such as glucose, phenylalanine, bombesin and cAMP is an important area to pursue.