PubMed 12625619
Referenced in: none
Automatically associated channels: Kir6.1
Title: ATP-sensitive K+ channels of vascular smooth muscle cells.
Authors: William C Cole, Odile Clément-Chomienne
Journal, date & volume: J. Cardiovasc. Electrophysiol., 2003 Jan , 14, 94-103
PubMed link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12625619
Abstract
ATP-sensitive potassium channels (K(ATP)) of vascular smooth muscle cells represent potential therapeutic targets for control of abnormal vascular contractility. The biophysical properties, regulation and pharmacology of these channels have received intense scrutiny during the past twenty years, however, the molecular basis of vascular K(ATP) channels remains ill-defined. This review summarizes the recent advancements made in our understanding of the molecular composition of vascular K(ATP) channels with a focus on the evidence that hetero-octameric complexes of Kir6.1 and SUR2B subunits constitute the vascular K(ATP) subtype responsible for control of arterial diameter by vasoactive agonists.