Presence of Small-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium (SK) Channels in the Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems and Their Role in Health and Disease

Abstract

Potassium (K + ) channels establish and maintain the resting potential of most living cells. Their activity is predominantly regulated by the membrane voltage or the K + gradient across the cell membrane. However, many cells also express small-conductance calciumactivated potassium (SK) channels, which have the unique ability to translate changes in the level of the intracellular second messenger, Ca 2+ to changes in the membrane K + conductance and, therefore, the resting membrane potential. This article reviews the structure, presence, distribution, and function of SK channels, their pharmacological modulation, and their role in health and disease, emphasizing nociception and pain.

Challenges in the Therapeutic Targeting of KCa Channels: From Basic Physiology to Clinical Applications

“…SK3 channels are expressed in the midbrain and hypothalamus [ 177 , 178 , 179 ]. The functioning of SK channels in neurons located in the midbrain and cerebellum plays a role in coordinating muscle movements and facilitating movement [ 184 ]. In pyramidal neurons of the hippocampus and amygdala, SK channels modulate the excitatory postsynaptic potential, and the inhibition of SK channels increases long-term potentiation that enhances learning and memory [ 185 ].…”

“…SK Channels 4.1. Distribution and Physiology of SK Channels SK channels are broadly expressed, primarily in the central and peripheral nervous systems and the cardiovascular system [184]. Among the SK channels in the human brain, SK3 is the most highly expressed, followed by SK2 and SK1 [179].…”