Potassium channel, vascular smooth muscle

Potassium channels in vascular smooth muscle are a group of ion channels responsible for the majority of potassium conductance in vascular smooth muscle cell membranes, critically regulating membrane potential and thereby modulating smooth muscle contraction, vascular tone, and cell proliferation. Five major classes—large-conductance Ca2+-activated (BK_Ca), intermediate-conductance Ca2+-activated (K_Ca3.1), voltage-gated (K_V), ATP-sensitive (K_ATP), and inward-rectifier (Kir)—combine in distinct patterns in different vessel types and regulate responses to vasoconstrictors and vasodilators. Dysregulation of these channels is implicated in hypertension, atherosclerosis, and other cardiovascular pathologies. They are established therapeutic targets for several vasodilators and antihypertensive drugs, but drug selectivity and safety remain ongoing challenges for clinical use[1][2][3][5].

Other names

Vascular smooth muscle potassium channelVSM potassium channel

Membrane hyperpolarization leading to vasodilation; Modulation of vascular smooth muscle excitability; Inhibition reduces hyperpolarization, leading to vasoconstriction; Drug-induced opening of K+ channels causes relaxation of vascular smooth muscle[5][3][2]