 | This user is a student editor in Marquette_University/Neurobiology_(Spring_2018). |
I was born and raised in beautiful Indianapolis, Indiana and currently a junior at Marquette University majoring in Biological Sciences. I run cross country and track & field. As far as post-graduation plans, I have aspirations to attend dental school.
In my free time, I enjoy traveling with family and friends, going to concerts, and experiencing all that Milwaukee has to offer, whether it be Kopp's Frozen Custard, the Historic Third Ward, or Bradford Beach.
Outline
editIntro:
General overview of what BK channels are, go into some detail about their structure and how that begets its function, BK channel regulation and how BK channels can regulate gene expression, and how BK channels can be utilized as treatment options for diseases (pharmacology)
Lead:
BK channels are voltage-gated potassium channels that conduct large amounts of potassium across the cell membrane, hence their name, Big Potassium. These channels can be activated by either electrical means, or by increasing calcium concentrations in the cell. BK channels help regulate physiological processes, such as circadian behavioral rhythms and neuronal excitability. They have a tetrameric structure that is composed of a transmembrane domain, voltage sensing domain, potassium channel domain, and a cytoplasmic C-terminal domain, with many X-ray structures for reference. Their function is to repolarize the membrane potential by allowing for potassium to flow outward, in response to a depolarization or increase in calcium levels.
Subheadings/points:
Regulation of BK channels, BK channel activation/inhibition, mechanism of how BK channels work, BK channels effects on the neuron, organ, body as a whole,
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4722972/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4598779/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4319557/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4197896/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4191079/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4141542/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5472047/