Abstract
Large-conductance Ca2+ -and voltage-gated K+ channels are activated by an increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration and/or depolarization. The channel activation mechanism is well described by an allosteric model encompassing the gate, voltage sensors, and Ca2+ sensors, and the model is an excellent framework to understand the influences of auxiliary β and γ subunits and regulatory factors such as Mg2+. Recent advances permit elucidation of structural correlates of the biophysical mechanism.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Review
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Binding Sites
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Calcium Signaling*
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Humans
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Ion Channel Gating*
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Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channel alpha Subunits / chemistry
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Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channel alpha Subunits / metabolism*
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Membrane Potentials
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Models, Biological
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Models, Molecular
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Protein Binding
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Protein Conformation
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Structure-Activity Relationship
Substances
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KCNMA1 protein, human
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Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channel alpha Subunits