title: A-type potassium currents in smooth muscle.
abstract: A-type currents are voltage-gated, calcium-independent potassium (Kv) currents that undergo rapid activation and inactivation. Commonly associated with neuronal and cardiac cell-types, A-type currents have also been identified and characterized in vascular, genitourinary, and gastrointestinal smooth muscle cells. This review examines the molecular identity, biophysical properties, pharmacology, regulation, and physiological function of smooth muscle A-type currents. In general, this review is intended to facilitate the comparison of A-type currents present in different smooth muscles by providing a comprehensive report of the literature to date. This approach should also aid in the identification of areas of research requiring further attention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno 89557, USA.
authors.forename: Gregory C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Amberg
authors.forename: Sang Don
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Koh
authors.forename: Yuji
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Imaizumi
authors.forename: Susumu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ohya
authors.forename: Kenton M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Sanders
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D024681:Potassium Channels, Calcium-Activated / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D024642:Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated; D051672:Shal Potassium Channels
chemical_list: D015221:Potassium Channels; D024681:Potassium Channels, Calcium-Activated; D024642:Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated; D051672:Shal Potassium Channels