Large conductance voltage- and Ca2+-gated potassium (BK) channel β4 subunit influences sensitivity and tolerance to alcohol by altering its response to kinases.

ABSTRACT: Tolerance is a well described component of alcohol abuse and addiction. The large conductance voltage- and Ca(2+)-gated potassium channel (BK) has been very useful for studying molecular tolerance. The influence of association with the β4 subunit can be observed at the level of individual channels, action potentials in brain slices, and finally, drinking behavior in the mouse. Previously, we showed that 50 mm alcohol increases both α and αβ4 BK channel open probability, but only α BK develops acute tolerance to this effect. Currently, we explore the possibility that the influence of the β4 subunit on tolerance may result from a striking effect of β4 on kinase modulation of the BK channel. We examine the influence of the β4 subunit on PKA, CaMKII, and phosphatase modulation of channel activ

SUBMITTER: Velazquez-Marrero C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4200277 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature