Biomaterial Database

Low Ca2+-sensitive maxi-K+ channels in human cultured fibroblasts. 1988

L J Galietta, and Z Galdzicki, and M Nobile

Laboratorio di Genetica Molecolare, Istituto G. Gaslini, Genova, Italy.

The patch clamp technique was used to reveal single channel activity in the membrane of human cultured fibroblasts. The most frequently detected ion channel type was a Ca2+-dependent K+ channel with a conductance of 287 +/- 38 pS in symmetrical 130 mM KCl. The channel showed a peculiar low Ca2+-sensitivity compared to that of similar channels in other preparations. In fact micromolar values of internal Ca2+ were not effective in the channel activation, except at high depolarizing membrane potentials. The activity was highly increased only when the channel was exposed to relatively high internal Ca2+ concentrations (0.2-2.0 mM).

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D002118	Calcium	A basic element found in nearly all tissues. It is a member of the alkaline earth family of metals with the atomic symbol Ca, atomic number 20, and atomic weight 40. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and combines with phosphorus to form calcium phosphate in the bones and teeth. It is essential for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles and plays a role in blood coagulation (as factor IV) and in many enzymatic processes.	Coagulation Factor IV,Factor IV,Blood Coagulation Factor IV,Calcium-40,Calcium 40,Factor IV, Coagulation
D002478	Cells, Cultured	Cells propagated in vitro in special media conducive to their growth. Cultured cells are used to study developmental, morphologic, metabolic, physiologic, and genetic processes, among others.	Cultured Cells,Cell, Cultured,Cultured Cell
D004594	Electrophysiology	The study of the generation and behavior of electrical charges in living organisms particularly the nervous system and the effects of electricity on living organisms.
D005347	Fibroblasts	Connective tissue cells which secrete an extracellular matrix rich in collagen and other macromolecules.	Fibroblast
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D012867	Skin	The outer covering of the body that protects it from the environment. It is composed of the DERMIS and the EPIDERMIS.
D012879	Skin Physiological Phenomena	The functions of the skin in the human and animal body. It includes the pigmentation of the skin.	Skin Physiological Processes,Skin Physiology,Physiology, Skin,Skin Physiological Concepts,Skin Physiological Phenomenon,Skin Physiological Process,Concept, Skin Physiological,Concepts, Skin Physiological,Phenomena, Skin Physiological,Phenomenas, Skin Physiological,Phenomenon, Skin Physiological,Phenomenons, Skin Physiological,Physiological Concept, Skin,Physiological Concepts, Skin,Physiological Phenomena, Skin,Physiological Phenomenas, Skin,Physiological Phenomenon, Skin,Physiological Phenomenons, Skin,Process, Skin Physiological,Processes, Skin Physiological,Skin Physiological Concept,Skin Physiological Phenomenas,Skin Physiological Phenomenons
D015221	Potassium Channels	Cell membrane glycoproteins that are selectively permeable to potassium ions. At least eight major groups of K channels exist and they are made up of dozens of different subunits.	Ion Channels, Potassium,Ion Channel, Potassium,Potassium Channel,Potassium Ion Channels,Channel, Potassium,Channel, Potassium Ion,Channels, Potassium,Channels, Potassium Ion,Potassium Ion Channel