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Relationship of Ion Channel Activity to Control of Myometrial Calcium

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Houston Medical School, PO Box 20708, Houston, TX 77225; bsanborn{at}bmb.med.uth.tmc.edu

This article reviews the contribution of ion channels to membrane potential, the ion channels expressed in myometrium, and the effect of ion channel activity on the control of myometrial intracellular free calcium. Plasma membranes constitute barriers to permeability that establish concentration gradients of ions inside versus outside the call. Na⁺, Ca²⁺, and Cl^- are normally in higher concentration outside than inside cells, whereas K⁺ is higher inside. In myometrium, Ca²⁺ entry into cells mediates myometrial membrane potential changes and serves as the internal signal for contraction. K⁺ efflux is thought to promote repolarization after an action potential and to participate in setting the resting membrane potential. Ions cross the cell membrane through channels that have different regulated properties and selectives. Ion movement has been measured by a number of techniques, including radiolabeled ion flux, use of intracellular indicators, and patch-clamp methodology. A number of myometrical Ca²⁺ channels have been described, including voltage-regulated L-type channels and Ca²⁺ entry in response to intracellular Ca²⁺ store depletion. Fast Na⁺ channels may contribute to cation entry late in pregnancy. K⁺ channels in myometrium include Ca²⁺-activated channels, a delayed rectifier, and an inward rectifier. A Ca²⁺-activated Cl^- channel is also present in myometrium. In addition to being regulated by Ca²⁺, the activity of a number of these channels can be regulated by uterine contractants and relaxants. Regulation of ion channel activity can affect intracellular free Ca²⁺ concentrations in the myometrium. Therefore, control of ion channel activity represents one of several approaches for controlling myometrial contractile activity.

Key Words: Myometrium • calcium • ion channel • action potential

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