Target intelligence / Profile preview

Calcium-Activated Potassium Channel (Large Conductance) (BK)

Target
BK
Molecular classification
Ion channel, Potassium channel, Voltage-gated ion channel, Calcium-activated ion channel
01

Overview

The large-conductance, calcium-activated potassium channel (BK channel) is a voltage- and calcium-sensitive potassium channel. It regulates membrane potential by facilitating K+ efflux when activated by increases in intracellular Ca2+ and/or membrane depolarization. The functional channel is a tetramer of alpha subunits encoded by the KCNMA1 gene, with regulatory beta subunits that modulate activity. It plays roles in action potential repolarization, neuronal excitability, neurotransmitter release, hormone secretion, smooth muscle tone, and other processes. It is a therapeutic target for hypertension, asthma, COPD, and neurological disorders.

Other names
BK channelBK(Ca)Slo1MaxiKKCa1.1
02

Mechanism of action

Modulation of potassium ion flux across the cell membrane

03

Biological functions

Membrane potential regulationAction potential repolarizationNeuronal excitability controlNeurotransmitter releaseHormone secretionSmooth muscle tone modulationCochlear hair cell tuningApoptosis signalingCardioprotection
04

Disease associations

HypertensionAsthmaCOPDNeurological disorders
05

Safety considerations

Complex tissue-specific effectsPotential for off-target effects due to widespread expression
06

Interacting drugs

BK channel activators

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