Structure, gating and basic functions of the Ca2+-activated K channel of intermediate conductance

Luigi Sforna, Alfredo Megaro, Mauro Pessia, Fabio Franciolini, Luigi Catacuzzeno

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

42 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: The KCa3.1 channel is the intermediate-conductance member of the Ca2+-activated K channel superfamily. It is widely expressed in excitable and non-excitable cells, where it plays a major role in a number of cell functions. This paper aims at illustrating the main structural, biophysical and modulatory properties of the KCa3.1 channel, and providing an account of experimental data on its role in volume regulation and Ca2+ signals. Methods: Research and online content related to the structure, structure/function relationship, and physiological role of the KCa3.1 channel are reviewed. Results: Expressed in excitable and non-excitable cells, the KCa3.1 channel is voltage independent, its opening being exclusively gated by the binding of intracellular Ca2+ to calmodulin, a Ca2+-binding protein constitutively associated with the C-terminus of each KCa3.1 channel α subunit. The KCa3.1 channel activates upon high affinity Ca2+ binding, and in highly coordinated fashion giving steep Hill functions and relatively low EC50 values (100-350 nM). This high Ca2+ sensitivity is physiologically modulated by closely associated kinases and phosphatases. The KCa3.1 channel is normally activated by global Ca2+ signals as resulting from Ca2+ released from intracellular stores, or by the refilling influx through store operated Ca2+ channels, but cases of strict functional coupling with Ca2+-selective channels are also found. KCa3.1 channels are highly expressed in many types of cells, where they play major roles in cell migration and death. The control of these complex cellular processes is achieved by KCa3.1 channel regulation of the driving force for Ca2+ entry from the extracellular medium, and by mediating the K+ efflux required for cell volume control. Conclusion: Much work remains to be done to fully understand the structure/function relationship of the KCa3.1 channels. Hopefully, this effort will provide the basis for a beneficial modulation of channel activity under pathological conditions.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)608-617
Number of pages10
JournalCurrent Neuropharmacology
Volume16
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Calcium influx
  • Calmodulin
  • Gating
  • KCa3.1
  • NDPK-B
  • PKA
  • Volume regulation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmacology
  • Neurology
  • Clinical Neurology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Pharmacology (medical)

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