Mutations in KCa2.3 are suspected to be a possible underlying cause for several neurological disorders, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, Alzheimer’s disease, anorexia nervosa and ataxia[6][7][8] as well as myotonic muscular dystrophy.
KCa2.3 channels play a major role in human physiology, particularly in smooth muscle relaxation. The expression level of KCa2.3 channels in the endothelium influences arterial tone by setting arterial smooth muscle membrane potential. The sustained activity of KCa2.3 channels induces a sustained hyperpolarisation of the endothelial cell membrane potential, which is then carried to nearby smooth muscle through gap junctions.[5] Blocking the KCa2.3 channel or suppressing KCa2.3 expression causes a greatly increased tone in resistance arteries, producing an increase in peripheral resistance and blood pressure.
KCa2.3 is found in almost every tissue in the human body, with exceptions being the pancreas, placenta, adipose tissue, liver, prostate and skin.[1] KCa2.3 is most abundant in regions of the brain, but has also been found to be expressed in significant levels in many other peripheral tissues, particularly those rich in smooth muscle, including the rectum, corpus cavernosum, colon, small intestine and myometirum.[1]
The expression level of KCNN3 is dependent on hormonal regulation, particularly by the sex hormone estrogen. Estrogen not only enhances transcription of the KCNN3 gene, but also affects the activity of KCa2.3 channels on the cell membrane. In GABAergic POA neurons, estrogen enhanced the ability of ?1 adrenergic receptors to inhibit KCa2.3 activity, increasing cell excitability.[4] Links between hormonal regulation of sex organ function and KCa2.3 expression have been established. The expression of KCa2.3 in the corpus cavernosum in patients undergoing estrogen treatment as part of gender reassignment surgery was found to be increased up to 5-fold.[1] The influence of estrogen on KCa2.3 has also been established in the hypothalamus, uterine and skeletal muscle.[4]
KCa2.3 contains 6 transmembrane domains, a pore-forming region, and intracellular N- and C- termini[3][1] and is readily blocked by apamin. The gene for KCa2.3, KCNN3, is located on chromosome 1q21.
SK3 is a small-conductance calcium-activated potassium channel partly responsible for the calcium-dependent after hyperpolarisation current (IAHP). It belongs to a family of channels known as small-conductance potassium channels, which consists of three members – SK1, SK2 and SK3 (KCNN1, 2 and 3 respectively), which share a 60-70% sequence identity.[1] These channels have acquired a number of alternative names, however a NC-IUPHAR has recently achieved consensus on the best names, KCa2.1 (SK1), KCa2.2 (SK2) and KCa2.3 (SK3).[2] Small conductance channels are responsible for the medium and possibly the slow components of the IAHP.
All SK channels can be pharmacologically blocked by quaternary ammonium salts of a plant-derived neurotoxin bicuculline.[6] In addition, SK channels(SK1-SK3) are sensitive to blockade by the bee venom apamin, [7] but SK4 (IK) is not. and the scorpion venom tamapin.[8]
The SK channel family contains 4 members - SK1, SK2, SK3, and SK4.
SK potassium channels share the same basic architecture with shaker-like voltage-gated potassium channels.[4] Four identical subunits associate to form a symmetric tetramer. Each of the subunits has six hydrophobic alpha helical domains which insert into the cell membrane. A loop between the fifth and sixth trans membrane domain forms the potassium ion selectivity filter.
In addition, SK potassium channels are tightly associated with the protein calmodulin which accounts for the calcium sensitivity of these channels.
SK channels (Small conductance calcium-activated K (potassium) channels) are a subfamily of Ca2+-activated K+ channels.[1] SK channels are a type of ion channel allowing potassium cations to cross the cell membrane and are activated (opened) by an increase in the concentration of intracellular calcium. Their activation limits the firing frequency of action potentials and are important for regulating afterhyperpolarization in central neurons and other types of electrically excitable cells.[2] SK channels are thought to be involved in synaptic plasticity and therefore play important roles in memory and learning.
Sodium channel, nonvoltage-gated 1, gamma, also known as SCNN1G, is a human gene.