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. 2014 Jul 23;8(4):290–291. doi: 10.4161/chan.29966

graphic file with name kchl-08-04-10929966-g001.jpg

Figure 1. An updated model of O2 sensing by carotid body glomus cells. Hypoxia inhibits K+ channels such as TASK via an O2 sensor. The depolarization opens voltage-gated Ca2+ channels and elevates [Ca2+]i. Rise of [Ca2+]i begins to increase Na+ influx via the 20-pS channel, and initiates a feed-forward mechanism to maintain an optimal level of [Ca2+]i during moderate to severe hypoxia. Further increase in [Ca2+]i is prevented by activation of BK that opposes depolarization.