Intravenous anesthetics have differential effects on human potassium channels.
Acta biochimica et biophysica Sinica September 13, 2024 Ying Tao, Kejie Yao, Jing Wu et al.
Propofol and ketamine increase the activity of certain potassium channels (TASK-3 and SK3, respectively), while pentobarbital and ketamine decrease the activity of SK1 channels. These effects were observed in Xenopus oocytes expressing seven types of potassium channels. Molecular docking simulations identified specific amino acid residues where each anesthetic binds: propofol to Q126 of TASK-3, ketamine to S290 of SK1 and S467 of SK3, and pentobarbital to S330 and T358 of SK1. Because these potassium channels help regulate respiration, heart rhythm, and blood vessel dilation, the findings suggest a molecular basis for the cardiovascular and respiratory side effects of intravenous general anesthetics.