Presence of Small-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium (SK) Channels in the Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems and Their Role in Health and Disease

2023/05/09 by Marcos Fabio DosSantos, Marcos F. DosSantos, Lionete Gall Acosta Filha +3
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Neuroscience · #Ion Channels and Receptors #Ion channel regulation and function #Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research

paper · pdf · doi:10.31083/j.jin2203069

openalex publication_date 2023/05/09 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28

Abstract

Potassium (K+) channels establish and maintain the resting potential of most living cells. Their activity is predominantly regulated by the membrane voltage or the K+ gradient across the cell membrane. However, many cells also express small-conductance calcium-activated potassium (SK) channels, which have the unique ability to translate changes in the level of the intracellular second messenger, Ca2+ to changes in the membrane K+ conductance and, therefore, the resting membrane potential. This article reviews the structure, presence, distribution, and function of SK channels, their pharmacological modulation, and their role in health and disease, emphasizing nociception and pain.

Citations

• Coronary endothelial dysfunction prevented by small-conductance calcium-activated potassium channel activator in mice and patients with diabetes

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