The unique N-terminal sequence of the BKCa channel α-subunit determines its modulation by β-subunits.

ABSTRACT: Large conductance voltage- and Ca2+-activated K+ (BKCa) channels are essential regulators of membrane excitability in a wide variety of cells and tissues. An important mechanism of modulation of BKCa channel activity is its association with auxiliary subunits. In smooth muscle cells, the most predominant regulatory subunit of BKCa channels is the β1-subunit. We have previously described that BKCa channels with distinctive N-terminal ends (starting with the amino acid sequence MDAL, MSSN or MANG) are differentially modulated by the β1-subunit, but not by the β2. Here we extended our studies to understand how the distinct N-terminal regions differentially modulate channel activity by β-subunits. We recorded inside-out single-channel currents from HEK293T cells co-expressing the BKCa containi

SUBMITTER: Lorca RA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5531486 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature