Beta-Subunits Are Important Modulators of the Acute Response to Alcohol in Human BK Channels

Online Early Articles
28 March 2007

The BK channel (a Ca²⁺-activated potassium ion channel encoded by the slo gene) has been defined as a target of alcohol action in a number of preparations, possibly serving as primary mediator of intoxication in the Caenorhabditis elegans model system.

Our data reinforce the idea that, as in other systems, BK may play a major role in alcohol's actions in humans, and highlight the potential role of channel subunit composition in the response to alcohol.

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