POTASSIUM CHANNELS IN THE VASCULATURE

Many important cellular functions are regulated by vascular potassium channels, including the resting membrane potential. Recent evidence su ggests that the function of these channels is altered in pathophysiolo gical disorders of the cardiovascular system. Using molecular cloning techniques, considerable effort has been made over the past 5 years to elucidate the structure of various types of potassium channels, Sever al different potassium channel clones have been identified from neuron al and cardiac tissues, although only a few have so far been identifie d in smooth muscle.