title: Ion channels and vascular tone.
abstract: Ion channels in the plasma membrane of vascular muscle cells that form the walls of resistance arteries and arterioles play a central role in the regulation of vascular tone. Current evidence indicates that vascular smooth muscle cells express at least 4 different types of K(+) channels, 1 to 2 types of voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels, >/=2 types of Cl(-) channels, store-operated Ca(+) (SOC) channels, and stretch-activated cation (SAC) channels in their plasma membranes, all of which may be involved in the regulation of vascular tone. Calcium influx through voltage-gated Ca(2+), SOC, and SAC channels provides a major source of activator Ca(2+) used by resistance arteries and arterioles. In addition, K(+) and Cl(-) channels and the Ca(2+) channels mentioned previously all are involved in the determination of the membrane potential of these cells. Membrane potential is a key variable that not only regulates Ca(+2) influx through voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels, but also influences release of Ca(2+) from internal stores and Ca(2+)- sensitivity of the contractile apparatus. By controlling Ca(2+) delivery and membrane potential, ion channels are involved in all aspects of the generation and regulation of vascular tone.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI 49008, USA. jackson@wmich.edu
authors.forename: W F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Jackson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009129:Muscle Tonus / Q000502:physiology; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D015220:Calcium Channels; D015221:Potassium Channels