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Review
. 2014 Oct 9:5:389.
doi: 10.3389/fphys.2014.00389. eCollection 2014.

BK channel activators and their therapeutic perspectives

Bo H Bentzen  1 , Søren-Peter Olesen  2 , Lars C B Rønn  3 , Morten Grunnet  4
Affiliations
Review

BK channel activators and their therapeutic perspectives

Bo H Bentzen et al. Front Physiol. .

Abstract

The large conductance calcium- and voltage-activated K(+) channel (KCa1.1, BK, MaxiK) is ubiquitously expressed in the body, and holds the ability to integrate changes in intracellular calcium and membrane potential. This makes the BK channel an important negative feedback system linking increases in intracellular calcium to outward hyperpolarizing potassium currents. Consequently, the channel has many important physiological roles including regulation of smooth muscle tone, neurotransmitter release and neuronal excitability. Additionally, cardioprotective roles have been revealed in recent years. After a short introduction to the structure, function and regulation of BK channels, we review the small organic molecules activating BK channels and how these tool compounds have helped delineate the roles of BK channels in health and disease.

Keywords: BK; KCNMA1; KCa1.1; MaxiK; activators; high-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels; openers; pharmacology.

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