In molecular biology, the calcium-activated potassium channel beta subunit is a family of
proteins comprising the beta subunits of
calcium-activated
potassium channels.
The functional diversity of potassium channels can arise through homo- or hetero-associations of alpha subunits or association with auxiliary
cytoplasmic beta subunits. The beta subunit (which is thought to possess 2
transmembrane domains) increases the calcium sensitivity of the
BK channel.
It does this by enhancing the time spent by the channel in burst-like open states. However, it has little effect on the durations of closed intervals between bursts, or on the numbers of open and closed states entered during gating.
References
{{InterPro content, IPR003930
Protein families