Publications<< Back

López-López JR, Pérez-García MT

Oxygen sensitive Kv channels in the carotid body.

Respir Physiol Neurobiol. 2007 Jul;157(1):65-74, PMID: 17442633

Hypoxic inhibition of K(+) channels has been documented in many native chemoreceptor cells, and is crucial to initiate reflexes directed to improve tissue O(2) supply. In the carotid body (CB) chemoreceptors, there is a general consensus regarding the facts that a decrease in P(O2) leads to membrane depolarization, increase of Ca(2+) entry trough voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels and Ca(2+)-dependent release of neurotransmitters. Central to this pathway is the modulation by hypoxia of K(+) channels that triggers depolarization. However, the details of this process are still controversial, and even the molecular nature of these oxygen-sensitive K(+) (K(O2)) channels in the CB is hotly debated. Clearly there are inter-species differences, and even in the same preparation more that one K(O2) may be present. Here we recapitulate our present knowledge of the role of voltage dependent K(+) channels as K(O2) in the CB from different species, and their functional contribution to cell excitability in response to acute and chronic exposure to hypoxia.

PHYSIOLOGY

Download publication

An initiative of

Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional IMIM - Parc de Salut Mar