title: Properties of large-conductance K+ channels in human myometrium during pregnancy and labour.
abstract: The conversion of the electrically silent pregnant uterus to highly excitable at term represents a dramatic physiological event which is poorly understood. Here we provide the first description, from single-channel recordings, of a large conductance (212 pS) calcium-activated potassium channel (BKCa) in human pregnant myometrium which, in labour tissue, is either absent or has been considerably altered in its physiological and pharmacological properties. In the latter, the K+ channels have an identical conductance (221 pS) and K+ selectivity to BKCa channels but exhibit no Ca2+ or voltage sensitivity. We have termed these BK channels. Furthermore, the activity of the BKCa channel from pregnant tissue is inhibited by internal application of Ba2+ but not tetraethylammonium (TEA), whereas the activity of the BK channel is sensitive to internal TEA but not Ba2+. The role of the BKCa channel may be to suppress myometrial activity during gestation whereas BK channel activity may be important in providing a Ca(2+)-independent K+ conductance which would allow cytoplasmic Ca2+ levels to rise without activating a counteracting Ca(2+)-dependent outward current, normally provided by the BKCa channels which, by its very nature, would tend to oppose depolarization. The findings suggest that K+ channels may have an important role in determining the functional activity of the myometrium.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, U.K.
authors.forename: R N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Ashford
mesh_terms: D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000502:physiology*; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D009215:Myometrium / Q000502:physiology*; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000502:physiology*; D019789:Tetraethylammonium; D013757:Tetraethylammonium Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D015221:Potassium Channels; D013757:Tetraethylammonium Compounds; D019789:Tetraethylammonium; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate