Introduction: Our previous studies showed that hydroalcoholic extract of leaf of Vitis vinifera relaxes the phenylephrine-induced contraction in rat thoracic aorta. This effect was dependent on endothelial integrity and NO-cGMP system. The vasorelaxant effect of extract was much lesser on KCl-induced contraction. We, therefore, postulated that K+ channels are involved. The main aim of the pr...

introduction numerous studies have demonstrated the presence of potassium selective channels in membranes internal organelles. these channels are essential to a large variety of cellular processes including intracellular 2+ a signaling, protein recycling, charge neutralization and cell protection. in contrast to the sarcoplasmic reticulum + here potassium channels have been clearly identified, ...

A survey of the currently available genomes shows that K channels are found in most free-living bacteria, archaea, and protists, indicating early evolution before the divergences of the three major domains of life. Though vertically descended from the primordial K channels, more recent lateral transfers of K channel genes must also have occurred. Variations in the motifs of transmembrane or cyt...

BK channels modulate neurotransmitter release due to their activation by voltage and Ca 2 . Intracellular Mg 2 also modulates BK channels in multiple ways with opposite effects on channel function. Previous single-channel studies have shown that Mg 2 blocks the pore of BK channels in a voltage-dependent manner. We have confirmed this result by studying macroscopic currents of the mslo1 channel....

Background: K+ channel toxins are essential tools for the first purifications, analysis of subunit structures and brain localization of voltage-gated K+ (Kv) channels. The effects of a lot of toxins on Kv are not fully known. Methods: Using whole-cell patch clamping technique the action of a series of toxins on Kv3.4 current in rat liver cells with expressed Kv3.4 channels (RLE) cloned cells wa...