title: Potassium channels in airway smooth muscle: a tale of two channels.
abstract: Potassium channels are an important determinant of smooth muscle excitability and force generation. Two potassium channels have been fully described in airway smooth muscle: large conductance, calcium-activated potassium channels and voltage-dependent delayed rectifier channels. This article will review the biophysics and pharmacology of these channels and discuss what is currently known with respect to their regulation and physiological significance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104-6046.
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Kotlikoff
mesh_terms: D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004594:Electrophysiology; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D012143:Respiratory Physiological Phenomena; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D015221:Potassium Channels; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium