Heteromeric Channels Formed From Alternating Kv7.4 and Kv7.5 α-Subunits Display Biophysical, Regulatory, and Pharmacological Characteristics of Smooth Muscle M-Currents.

Smooth muscle cells of the vasculature, viscera, and lungs generally express multiple α-subunits of the Kv7 voltage-gated potassium channel family, with increasing evidence that both Kv7.4 and Kv7.5 can conduct "M-currents" that are functionally important for the regulation of smooth muscle contractility.

Structural Determinants of Kv7.5 Potassium Channels That Confer Changes in Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-Bisphosphate (PIP) Affinity and Signaling Sensitivities in Smooth Muscle Cells.

Smooth muscle cells express Kv7.4 and Kv7.5 voltage-dependent potassium channels, which have each been implicated as regulators of smooth muscle contractility, though they display different sensitivities to signaling via cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) and protein kinase C (PKC).

Mechanisms of PKA-Dependent Potentiation of Kv7.5 Channel Activity in Human Airway Smooth Muscle Cells.

β-adrenergic receptor (βAR) activation promotes relaxation of both vascular and airway smooth muscle cells (VSMCs and ASMCs, respectively), though the signaling mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. We previously found that the activity of Kv7.5 voltage-activated potassium channels in VSMCs is robustly enhanced by activation of βARs via a mechanism involving protein kinase A (PKA)-dependent phosphorylation.

Kv7 potassium channels as signal transduction intermediates in the control of microvascular tone.

Potassium channels are recognized as important regulators of cellular functions in most, if not all cell types. These cellular proteins assemble to form gated pores in the plasma membrane, which serve to regulate the flow of potassium ions (K ) from the cytosol to the extracellular space. In VSMCs, the open state of potassium channels enables the efflux of K and thereby establishes a negative resting voltage across the plasma membrane that inhibits the opening of VSCCs.

Kv7.5 Potassium Channel Subunits Are the Primary Targets for PKA-Dependent Enhancement of Vascular Smooth Muscle Kv7 Currents.

Kv7 (KCNQ) channels, formed as homo- or heterotetramers of Kv7.4 and Kv7.5 α-subunits, are important regulators of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) membrane voltage.

Differential activation of vascular smooth muscle Kv7.4, Kv7.5, and Kv7.4/7.5 channels by ML213 and ICA-069673.

Recent research suggests that smooth muscle cells express Kv7.4 and Kv7.5 voltage-activated potassium channels, which contribute to maintenance of their resting membrane voltage.