Calcium-Activated Potassium Channel Subunit Alpha-1 (KCNMA1) Reagents

Calcium-activated potassium channel subunit alpha-1

Potassium channel activated by both membrane depolarization or increase in cytosolic Ca(2+) that mediates export of K(+). It is also activated by the concentration of cytosolic Mg(2+). Its activation dampens the excitatory events that elevate the cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration and/or depolarize the cell membrane. It therefore contributes to repolarization of the membrane potential. Plays a key role in controlling excitability in a number of systems, such as regulation of the contraction of smooth muscle, the tuning of hair cells in the cochlea, regulation of transmitter release, and innate immunity. In smooth muscles, its activation by high level of Ca(2+), caused by ryanodine receptors in the sarcoplasmic reticulum, regulates the membrane potential. In cochlea cells, its number and kinetic properties partly determine the characteristic frequency of each hair cell and thereby helps to establish a tonotopic map. Kinetics of KCNMA1 channels are determined by alternative splicing, phosphorylation status and its combination with modulating beta subunits. Highly sensitive to both iberiotoxin (IbTx) and charybdotoxin (CTX).

Paroxysmal nonkinesigenic dyskinesia, 3, with or without generalized epilepsy (PNKD3)

Cell membrane; Multi-pass membrane protein.

Potassium channel family, Calcium-activated (TC 1.A.1.3) subfamily, KCa1.1/KCNMA1 sub-subfamily

Widely expressed. Except in myocytes, it is almost ubiquitously expressed.

Cancer

subfamily M subunit alpha-1; BK channel; BKCA alpha; BKCA alpha subunit; BKTM; Calcium-activated potassium channel; Calcium-activated potassium channel subunit alpha-1; Drosophila slowpoke like; hSlo; K(VCA)alpha; KCa1.1; KCMA1_HUMAN; KCNMA; KCNMA1; Maxi K channel; Maxi Potassium channel alpha ; MaxiK; SAKCA; SLO alpha; SLO; Slo homolog; Slo-alpha; Slo1; Slowpoke homolog

This gene encodes the alpha subunit of calcium-activated BK channel. The encoded protein is involved in several physiological processes including smooth muscle contraction, neurotransmitter release and neuronal excitability. Mutations in this gene are associated with a spectrum of neurological disorders including Paroxysmal Nonkinesigenic Dyskinesia 3, Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy 16 and Liang-Wang syndrome.