Molecular investigations of BK(Ca) channels and the modulatory beta-subunits in porcine basilar and middle cerebral arteries
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
Large conductance calcium-activated potassium (BK(Ca)) channels are fundamental in the regulation of cerebral vascular basal tone. We investigated the expression of the mRNA transcripts for the BK(Ca) channel and its modulatory beta-subunits (beta1-beta4) in porcine basilar and middle cerebral arteries using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and quantitative real-time PCR. Western blotting was used to detect immunoreactivity for the porcine BK(Ca) channel alpha-subunit and beta-subunit proteins. The BK(Ca) channel alpha-subunit RNA and protein distribution patterns were visualized using in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence studies, respectively. The study verified that the BK(Ca) channel alpha-subunit is located to smooth muscle cells of porcine basilar and middle cerebral arteries. The mRNA transcript for beta1-, beta2- and beta4-subunit were shown by RT-PCR in porcine basilar and middle cerebral arteries. However, at the protein level, only, the beta1-subunit protein was found by western blotting.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Journal of Molecular Histology (Print Edition) |
Volume | 40 |
Issue number | 2 |
Pages (from-to) | 87-97 |
Number of pages | 11 |
ISSN | 1567-2379 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2009 |
Bibliographical note
Keywords: Animals; Basilar Artery; Blotting, Western; In Situ Hybridization; Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channel alpha Subunits; Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channel beta Subunits; Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels; Middle Cerebral Artery; Oocytes; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; Swine; Xenopus
ID: 21772427