title: Calcium-activated potassium channels in liver cells.
abstract: Activation of certain membrane receptors increases the concentration of Ca2+ in the cytosol of hepatocytes. Since in most species these cells possess a PK(Ca) mechanism, the outcome is a rise in PK. This can be blocked by quinine, apamin and certain neuromuscular blocking agents. The binding of labelled apamin to hepatocytes has been studied under physiological conditions, and the relationship between the binding sites and K+ channels is discussed. The physiological role of the PK(Ca) mechanism in hepatocytes is unclear, though it is largely responsible for 'adrenaline hyperkalaemia'.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001030:Apamin / Q000378:metabolism; D001464:Barium / Q000494:pharmacology; D000001:Calcimycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000494:pharmacology; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism*; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D010539:Permeability; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism*; D011803:Quinine / Q000494:pharmacology; D011817:Rabbits; D012413:Rubidium / Q000378:metabolism; D013757:Tetraethylammonium Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D004983:Ethanolamines; D007473:Ion Channels; D013757:Tetraethylammonium Compounds; D001030:Apamin; D001464:Barium; D000001:Calcimycin; C016980:amidephrine; D011803:Quinine; D012413:Rubidium; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium