title: Potassium channels and uterine function.
abstract: Ion channels are effector proteins that mediate uterine excitability throughout gestation. This review will focus primarily on the role of potassium channels in regulating myometrial tone in pregnancy and labor contractions. During gestation, potassium channels maintain the uterus in a state of quiescence by contributing to the resting membrane potential and counteracting contractile stimuli. This review summarizes the current knowledge about the significance of the potassium channels in maintaining a normal gestational period and initiating labor contractions at term.
authors.affiliation: University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States.
authors.forename: Adam M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Brainard
authors.forename: Victoria P
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Korovkina
authors.forename: Sarah K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: England
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000502:physiology; D009215:Myometrium / Q000502:physiology*; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014590:Uterine Contraction
chemical_list: D007473:Ion Channels; D015221:Potassium Channels