title: Apical potassium (BK) channels and enhanced potassium secretion in human colon.
abstract: The human colon has the capacity to secrete potassium (K(+)) ions and enhanced K(+) secretion is a feature of a variety of diarrhoeal diseases. Recent work points to K(+) secretion in human colon being mediated by high conductance (BK) K(+) channels located in the apical membrane of colonic epithelial cells. The aim of this review is to highlight the importance of these channels in maintaining K(+) homoeostasis in health and disease.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular Medicine, St James's University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK. g.i.sandle@leeds.ac.uk
authors.forename: G I
authors.initials: GI
authors.lastname: Sandle
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hunter
mesh_terms: D003106:Colon / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000503:physiopathology; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism*; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015221:Potassium Channels; D011188:Potassium