title: Big Potassium (BK) ion channels in biology, disease and possible targets for cancer immunotherapy.
abstract: The Big Potassium (BK) ion channel is commonly known by a variety of names (Maxi-K, KCNMA1, slo, stretch-activated potassium channel, KCa1.1). Each name reflects a different physical property displayed by this single ion channel. This transmembrane channel is found on nearly every cell type of the body and has its own distinctive roles for that tissue type. The BKα channel contains the pore that releases potassium ions from intracellular stores. This ion channel is found on the cell membrane, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi and mitochondria. Complex splicing pathways produce different isoforms. The BKα channels can be phosphorylated, palmitoylated and myristylated. BK is composed of a homo-tetramer that interacts with β and γ chains. These accessory proteins provide a further modulating effect on the functions of BKα channels. BK channels play important roles in cell division and migration. In this review, we will focus on the biology of the BK channel, especially its role, and its immune response towards cancer. Recent proteomic studies have linked BK channels with various proteins. Some of these interactions offer further insight into the role that BK channels have with cancers, especially with brain tumors. This review shows that BK channels have a complex interplay with intracellular components of cancer cells and still have plenty of secrets to be discovered.
authors.affiliation: Research Service, VA Long Beach Healthcare System, 5901 E. 7th Street, Long Beach, CA 90822, USA.
authors.forename: Lisheng
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ge
authors.affiliation: Research Service, VA Long Beach Healthcare System, 5901 E. 7th Street, Long Beach, CA 90822, USA.
authors.forename: Neil T
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Hoa
authors.affiliation: Research Service, VA Long Beach Healthcare System, 5901 E. 7th Street, Long Beach, CA 90822, USA.
authors.forename: Zechariah
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.affiliation: Biological Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zulia, Maracaibo, Venezuela.
authors.forename: Gabriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Arismendi-Morillo
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuro-Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
authors.forename: Xiao-Tang
authors.initials: XT
authors.lastname: Kong
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Rajeev B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Tajhya
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Beeton
authors.affiliation: Research Service, VA Long Beach Healthcare System, 5901 E. 7th Street, Long Beach, CA 90822, USA; Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service, VA Long Beach Healthcare System, 5901 E. 7th Street, Long Beach, CA 90822, USA; Neuro-Oncology Program, Chao Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Irvine, Orange, CA 92868, USA; Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Med Sci I, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA. Electronic address: martin.jadus@va.gov.
authors.forename: Martin R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Jadus
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D051036:Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D021122:Protein Subunits
chemical_list: D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D051036:Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D021122:Protein Subunits
keywords: BK ion channels; Cancer; Glioma; Microarray; Migration; Proliferation