Pharmacology
BK channels are pharmacological targets for the treatment of stroke and overactive bladderhttp://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cmdc.201200321/abstract. Various pharmaceutical companies developed synthetic molecules activating these channels in order to prevent excessive neurotoxic calcium entry in neurons. But BMS-204352 (MaxiPost) a molecule developed by Bristol-Myers Squibb failed to improve clinical outcome in stroke patients compared to placebo. BK channels have also been found to be activated by exogenous pollutants and endogenous gazotransmitters carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulphide.
BK channels are blocked by tetraethylammonium (TEA), paxilline and iberiotoxin.
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