BKCa channel regulates calcium oscillations induced by alpha-2-macroglobulin in human myometrial smooth muscle cells
Abstract
The large-conductance, voltage-gated, calcium (Ca2+)-activated potassium channel (BKCa) plays an important role in regulating the membrane potential of uterine muscle cells. We demonstrate that BKCa interacts with the immunomodulator α-2-macroglobulin (α2M) and its receptor low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 in human uterine muscle cells isolated from pregnant women. Furthermore, we report that activated α2M regulates BKCa activity and that activated α2M and BKCa together control Ca2+ oscillations in the cells, a process dependent on store-operated Ca2+ entry. This study reveals a previously unidentified modulator of the BKCa channel and may imply a link between inflammatory processes and excitation changes in the uterine muscle during pregnancy.
- Publication:
-
Proceedings of the National Academy of Science
- Pub Date:
- April 2016
- DOI:
- 10.1073/pnas.1516863113
- Bibcode:
- 2016PNAS..113E2335W