Potassium Channel Openers: The Case of BK Channel Activators

Large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels, also known as BK or Maxi-K channels, occur in many types of cells, where they play an essential role in the regulation of cell excitability and function. BK channel openers constitute a heterogeneous group of organic compounds being able to activate BK channels and having a wide therapeutic potential for the treatment of different neurological, urological and cardiovascular diseases. This review addresses the novel research on BK channels as drug targets as well as it reports recent developments in the chemistry of BK channel openers and in the chemical structural aspects determining their activity.