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Regulation of Cerebral Artery Smooth Muscle Membrane Potential by Ca 2+ ‐Activated Cation Channels
Author(s) -
Gonzales Albert L.,
Earley Scott
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
microcirculation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.793
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1549-8719
pISSN - 1073-9688
DOI - 10.1111/micc.12023
Subject(s) - membrane potential , chemistry , biophysics , membrane , anatomy , biochemistry , biology
Arterial tone is dependent on the depolarizing and hyperpolarizing currents regulating membrane potential and governing the influx of Ca 2+ needed for smooth muscle contraction. Several ion channels have been proposed to contribute to membrane depolarization, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. In this review, we will discuss the historical and physiological significance of the Ca 2+ ‐activated cation channel, TRPM4, in regulating membrane potential of cerebral artery smooth muscle cells. As a member of the recently described transient receptor potential super family of ion channels, TRPM4 possesses the biophysical properties and upstream cellular signaling and regulatory pathways that establish it as a major physiological player in smooth muscle membrane depolarization.