Neuronal cells communicate with each other by producing electrical signals or action potentials (APs). Different ion channels, including Na+, K+ and Ca2+ channels, are involved in generation of AP. Once an AP is generated in the soma, it travels down entire the axon length toward its terminal in a self-generating fashion that ultimately conveys information between neurons in the neural circuit....

K+ channel principal subunits are by far the largest and most diverse of the ion channels. This diversity originates partly from the large number of genes coding for K+ channel principal subunits, but also from other processes such as alternative splicing, generating multiple mRNA transcripts from a single gene, heteromeric assembly of different principal subunits, as well as possible RNA editi...

In the study, the thermal-hydraulic performance of the zigzag channels with circular cross-section was analyzed by Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The standard K-Ꜫ turbulent scalable wall functions were used for modeling. The wall temperature was assumed constant 353 K and water was used as the working fluid. The zigzag serpentine channels with bend angles of 5 - 45° were studied for turbul...

The two-pore-domain K(+) channels, or K(2P) channels, constitute a novel class of K(+) channel subunits. They have four transmembrane segments and are active as dimers. The tissue distribution of these channels is widespread, and they are found in both excitable and nonexcitable cells. K(2P) channels produce currents with unusual characteristics. They are quasi-instantaneous and noninactivating...

K(+) conductance is a major determinant of membrane potential (V(m)) in vascular smooth muscle (VSMC) and endothelial cells (EC). The vascular tone is controlled by V(m) through the action of voltage-operated Ca(2+) channels (VOCC) in VSMC. Increased K(+) conductance leads to hyperpolarization and vasodilation, while inactivation of K(+) channels causes depolarization and vasoconstriction. K(+)...

introduction: intracellular ph (phi) regulates essentially all aspects of cellular activities. however, it is unknown how endoplasmic reticulum (er) potassium channels sense phi. in this study, we investigate the direct effects of phi on er potassium channels. methods: we used channel incorporation into the bilayer lipid membrane method. l-α-phosphatidylcholine, a membrane lipid, was extracted ...

  Tolerance and dependence are two main problems that have limited morphine administration as an analgesic drug and they might be as a result of changes in the number and affinity of receptors, dysfunction of adenylate cyclase, impaired coupling between activated µ receptor and K+ channels, and changes in the K+ and Ca2+ channels. There are several reports concerning the role of some of these...

To investigate voltage-gated potassium channels underlying action potentials (APs), we simultaneously recorded neuronal APs and single K(+) channel activities, using dual patch-clamp recordings (1 whole cell and 1 cell-attached patch) in single-layer V neocortical pyramidal neurons of rat brain slices. A fast voltage-gated K(+) channel with a conductance of 37 pS (K(f)) opened briefly during AP...

K(v)7.4 channel subunits are expressed in central auditory pathways and in inner ear sensory hair cells and skeletal and smooth muscle cells. Openers of K(v)7.4 channels have been suggested to improve hearing loss, systemic or pulmonary arterial hypertension, urinary incontinence, gastrointestinal and neuropsychiatric diseases, and skeletal muscle disorders. Scorpion venoms are a large source o...