Bisphenol A activates Maxi-K (K(Ca)1.1) channels in coronary smooth muscle.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Bisphenol A (BPA) is used to manufacture plastics, including containers for food into which it may leach. High levels of exposure to this oestrogenic endocrine disruptor are associated with diabetes and heart disease. Oestrogen and oestrogen receptor modulators increase the activity of large conductance Ca(2+)/voltage-sensitive K(+) (Maxi-K; K(Ca)1.1) channels, but the effects of BPA on Maxi-K channels are unknown. We tested the hypothesis that BPA activates Maxi-K channels through a mechanism that depends upon the regulatory beta1 subunit.

Experimental approach

Patch-clamp recordings of Maxi-K channels were made in human and canine coronary smooth muscle cells as well as in AD-293 cells expressing pore-forming alpha or alpha plus beta1 subunits.

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SUBMITTER: Asano S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2860216 | biostudies-literature | 2010 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature