Potassium channels are trans-membrane proteins, which selectively transport K+ ions across cell membranes and play a key role in regulating the physiology of excitability cells and signal transduction pathways. Bothutous Schach (BS) scorpion venom consists of several polypeptides that could modulate ion channels. In this study, the effects of BS crude venom on passive and active electrophysiolo...

Potassium channels are the most widely distributed class of ion channels. These channels are transmembrane proteins known to play important roles in both normal and pathophysiological functions in all cell types. Various potassium channels are recognised as potential therapeutic targets in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, brain/spinal cord ischaemia and sepsis. In addi...

Introduction: Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by impairment of memory and changes in behavior and personality. Recent evidence suggests that mitochondrial channels play important roles in memory disorders. Accordingly, the biophysical properties of a single potassium channel were investigated in the brain mitochondrial inner membrane of rat with...

Introduction Numerous studies have demonstrated the presence of potassium selective channels in membranes internal organelles. These channels are essential to a large variety of cellular processes including intracellular 2+ a signaling, protein recycling, charge neutralization and cell protection. In contrast to the sarcoplasmic reticulum + here potassium channels have been clearly ...

Objective: In a previous work, we showed that asafoetida essential oil (AEO), from oleo-gum resin of Ferula asafoetida L. from the Apiaceae family, has a vasodilatory effect. This effect was both endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent. The present study was designed to determine whether potassium channels and intracellular calcium release contribute to AEO-i...

Channels selective for potassium or chloride ions are present in inner mitochondrial membranes. They probably play an important role in mitochondrial events such as the formation of delta pH and regulation of mitochondrial volume changes. Mitochondrial potassium and chloride channels could also be the targets for pharmacologically active compounds such as potassium channel openers and antidiabe...

Neuronal excitability relies on inward sodium and outward potassium fluxes during action potentials. To prevent neuronal hyperexcitability, potassium ions have to be taken up quickly. However, the dynamics of the activity-dependent potassium fluxes and the molecular pathways underlying extracellular potassium homeostasis remain elusive. To decipher the specific and acute contribution of astrogl...

Mitochondrial potassium channels, such as ATP-regulated or large conductance Ca2+ -activated and voltage gated channels were implicated in cytoprotective phenomenon in different tissues. Basic effects of these channels activity include changes in mitochondrial matrix volume, mitochondrial respiration and membrane potential, and generation of reactive oxygen species. In this paper, we describe t...

Channels selective for potassium or chloride ions are present in all intracellular membranes such as mitochondrial membranes, sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum, nuclear membrane and chromaffin granule membranes. They probably play an important role in events such as acidification of intracellular compartments and regulation of organelle volume. Additionally, intracellular ion channels are targ...

Ion channels are the "transistors" (electronic switches) of the brain that generate and propagate electrical signals in the aqueous environment of the brain and nervous system. Potassium channels are particularly important because, not only do they shape dynamic electrical signaling, they also set the resting potentials of almost all animal cells. Without them, animal life as we know it would n...