title: Physiological significance of SK4 channels in pancreatic β-cell oscillations.
abstract: Pancreatic beta-cells show oscillations in membrane potential (Vm), the cytosolic Ca (2+) concentration ([Ca (2+) ]c) and finally insulin secretion. It is well accepted that the initiation of a burst phase with action potentials is mediated by voltage-dependent Ca (2+) (and Na (+) ) channels. The mechanism triggering the onset of interburst phases is less clear. The exact nature of the K (+) channels that hyperpolarize Vm to maintain the rhythmic activity is unknown. In 1999 Göpel and co-workers (1) described a current termed Kslow and claimed that this current terminates the burst phases. KATP current is a part of the Kslow current. We could show that the Ca (2+) -dependent K (+) current through K (+) channels of intermediate conductance (SK4, KCa3.1 or IK1) also contributes to the Kslow current. We suggest that the Kslow current is composed of two currents through metabolism-regulated K (+) channels, KATP (regulated by ATP) and SK4 (regulated by Ca (2+) ). We further propose that the SK4 component of the Kslow current can trigger oscillations in mice without functioning KATP channels.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany. gisela.drews@uni-tuebingen.de
authors.forename: Gisela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Drews
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001683:Biological Clocks / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D004594:Electrophysiology; D050417:Insulin-Secreting Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D051660:Intermediate-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D008954:Models, Biological
chemical_list: D051660:Intermediate-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels; C496925:Kcnn4 protein, mouse