Alcohol modulation of BK channel gating depends on β subunit composition.

ABSTRACT: In most mammalian tissues, Ca²⁺_i/voltage-gated, large conductance K⁺ (BK) channels consist of channel-forming slo1 and auxiliary (β1-β4) subunits. When Ca²⁺_i (3-20 µM) reaches the vicinity of BK channels and increases their activity at physiological voltages, β1- and β4-containing BK channels are, respectively, inhibited and potentiated by intoxicating levels of ethanol (50 mM). Previous studies using different slo1s, lipid environments, and Ca²⁺_i concentrations-all determinants of the BK response to ethanol-made it impossible to determine the specific contribution of β subunits to ethanol action on BK activity. Furthermore, these studies measured ethanol action on ionic current under a limited range of stimuli, r

SUBMITTER: Kuntamallappanavar G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5089933 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature