Calcium-activated potassium channel Slo-1 (Slo-1 (BK channel))

Calcium-activated potassium channel Slo-1 (BK channel) is a large conductance potassium channel regulated by both intracellular calcium and membrane voltage, widely expressed in excitable and non-excitable tissues. The channel is formed by tetramers of α subunits that contain sites for calcium binding (RCK domains) and voltage sensing, allowing it to integrate diverse signals to regulate membrane potential. Slo-1 activity modulates action potential firing, neurotransmitter release, and muscle contraction, and its dysfunction is implicated in neurological, muscular, and cardiovascular disorders. In Caenorhabditis elegans, Slo-1 is critical for muscle function and participates in muscle dystrophy pathways[1][2][3][4][5][6].

Other names

BK channelMaxi K channelBig Potassium channelKCa1.1Slo homolog 1potassium large conductance calcium-activated channel subunit alpha-1

Channel blockade or inhibition, Positive/negative modulation of potassium efflux leading to altered cellular excitability