1. K(V)7 potassium channels: a new therapeutic target in smooth muscle disorders
- Author
-
Jennifer B. Stott, Thomas A. Jepps, and Iain A. Greenwood
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,Kv7 channels ,Cell membrane ,Pathogenesis ,Potassium Channels, Calcium-Activated ,Obstetric Labor, Premature ,Smooth muscle ,Muscular Diseases ,Pregnancy ,Internal medicine ,Drug Discovery ,medicine ,Animals ,Humans ,Vascular Diseases ,Pharmacology ,KCNQ Potassium Channels ,Chemistry ,Muscle, Smooth ,Potassium channel ,Asthma ,Cell biology ,Endocrinology ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Urinary Incontinence ,Female ,medicine.symptom ,Vasoconstriction - Abstract
Potassium channels are key regulators of smooth muscle tone, with increases in activity resulting in hyperpolarisation of the cell membrane, which acts to oppose vasoconstriction. Several potassium channels exist within smooth muscle, but the KV7 family of voltage-gated potassium channels have been identified as being crucial mediators of this process in a variety of smooth muscle. Recently, KV7 channels have been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension, as well as being implicated in other smooth muscle disorders, providing a new and inviting target for smooth muscle disorders.
- Published
- 2013