Journal
EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
Volume 235, Issue 1, Pages 10-22Publisher
SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD
DOI: 10.1258/ebm.2009.009201
Keywords
coronary blood flow; coronary vascular smooth muscle; large conductance Ca2+- and voltage-activated K+ channel; ATP-dependent K+ channel; voltage-gated K+ channel
Categories
Funding
- NIH [HL-67804]
- West Virginia University
- NATIONAL HEART, LUNG, AND BLOOD INSTITUTE [R01HL067804] Funding Source: NIH RePORTER
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K+ channels in coronary arterial smooth muscle cells (CASMC) determine the resting membrane potential (E-m) and serve as targets of endogenous and therapeutic vasodilators. E-m in CASMC is in the voltage range for activation of L-type Ca2+ channels; therefore, when K+ channel activity changes, Ca2+ influx and arterial tone change. This is why both Ca2+ channel blockers and K+ channel openers have such profound effects on coronary blood flow; the former directly inhibits Ca2+ influx through L-type Ca2+ channels, while the latter indirectly inhibits Ca2+ influx by hyperpolarizing E-m and reducing Ca2+ channel activity. K+ channels in CASMC play important roles in vasodilation to endothelial, ischemic and metabolic stimuli. The purpose of this article is to review the types of K+ channels expressed in CASMC, discuss the regulation of their activity by physiological mechanisms and examine impairments related to cardiovascular disease.
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