Slo channels are Ca2+-gated K+ channels that are important for neuronal function, skeletal muscle contraction and maintaining smooth muscle tension in metazoa. Their characteristic feature is an extraordinarily high single-channel conductance that is, in excitable cells, initiated through synergistic activation by transmembrane voltage potential depolarization and increasing intracellular Ca2+ levels. Slo channels, also called big potassium (BK) or maxiK channels, are ubiquitously expressed in many excitable cells, such as neurons and muscle cells, as well as non-excitable cells, such as epithelial cells. They are required for re-establishing the resting potential after an action potential, the release of neurotransmitters at synapses as well as preventing constant membrane depolarization on the postsynaptic side. Due to these important neuronal functions, Slo channels are the targets of many natural neurotoxins and candidate targets for novel insecticides. Here you can see a cryoEM structure of the rabbit Slo1 channel inner core (PDB code: 8S3E)

Structure rendered with @proteinimaging, post-processed with @stylar.ai_official and depicted with @corelphotopaint

#molecularart ... #cryoem ... #channel ... #slo1 ... #rabbit .. #innerview