Oxygen-sensitive potassium channels in chemoreceptor cell physiology: making a virtue of necessity.
The characterization of the molecular mechanisms involved in low-oxygen chemotransduction has been an active field of research since the first description of an oxygen-sensitive K(+) channel in rabbit carotid body (CB) chemoreceptor cells. As a result, a large number of components of the transduction cascade, from O(2) sensors to O(2)-sensitive ion channels, have been found. Although the endpoints of the process are analogous, the heterogeneity of the elements involved in the different chemoreceptor tissues precludes a unifying theory of hypoxic signaling, and it has been a source of controversy. However, when these molecular constituents of the hypoxic cascade are brought back to their physiological context, it becomes clear that the diversity of mechanisms is necessary to build up an integrated cellular response that demands the concerted action of several O(2) sensors and several effectors.
Departamento de Bioquímica, e Instituto de Biología y Genética Molecular (IBGM), Universidad de Valladolid y Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias (ISCiii), Facultad de Medicina, Valladolid, Spain. constanc@ibgm.uva.es
Constancio
C
Gonzalez
Luis M
LM
Vaquero
José Ramón
JR
López-López
M Teresa
MT
Pérez-García
D000818:Animals; D015687:Cell Hypoxia / Q000502:physiology*; D002628:Chemoreceptor Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D010100:Oxygen / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000187:drug effects*
D015221:Potassium Channels; D010100:Oxygen