Ca2+ activated K channels-new tools to induce cardiac commitment from pluripotent stem cells in mice and men.

To date, the precise role of ion channels in developmental processes has remained elusive, although it is well accepted that cell differentiation and maturation affect the expression patterns of ion channels [1]. Calcium-activated potassium channels (SKCas) exhibit small (SK1-3, Kcnn1-3) or intermediate (SK4, IK, Kcnn4) unitary conductance for Stem Cell Rev and Rep (2012) 8:720–740 DOI 10.1007/s12015-011-9324-9