What are potassium channels?

Potassium channels are a form of an ion channel, which is located in almost all living things. These channels cover cell membranes and provide means by which potassium ions can move in and out of the cells. The movement of potassium in and out of the cells creates potassium gradient, which helps to adjust the action potential and the resting membrane potential of the cell.

There are four types of transport channels of potassium ions. The potassium channels activated by calcium open and close in response to chemical signals from calcium ions. The internal rectic channels are positively charged into the cell more easily than they pass from the cell, allowing another regulatory effect. Tandem channels of pore domains are kept open or have a high degree of activation. These channels allow fast potassium movement. Potassium channels open and close in response to changes in transmembrane voltage.

All types of potassium channels have characteristicstructure. The basic structure of the potassium channel is a tetramer molecule, which forms a class of protein called integral membrane protein. The molecule consists of four identical subunits that form a protein complex with four times symmetry. The complex is arranged around the central pore through which the ions are carried out.

The function of potassium channel is to transmit potassium ions between cells and extracellular spaces. Most cells maintain potassium concentration, which is much higher than concentration maintained in extracellular spaces, helping to create a gradient of charges across cell membranes. The movement of potassium and other ions, such as sodium and calcium across different types of channels, is part of an ongoing cellular process that helps to regulate many biological functions.

potassium channels are very ubiquitous in the natural world and all living things are present. YouThis channels have a wide range of biological functions, for example, help regulate action potential in the heart muscle and regulate cellular processes that control hormone secretions such as insulin. In neurons, the movement of potassium ions across channels helps to set action potential, wool of electrochemical energy that allows cells to transmit neurological signals.

Because potassium ion channels are strongly involved in the regulation of the heart rhythm, the treatment of potassium channel blockers is commonly prescribed for many types of heart arrhythmia. When the heart rhythm is abnormal, the drug of potassium channel blocker can restore normal rhythm by increasing the duration of action potentials. These drugs can be used as vasodilators in addition to their more common use as anti-arrhythmia of drugs.