The ATP-sensitive potassium channel subunit, Kir6.1, in vascular smooth muscle plays a major role in blood pressure control.

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Endothelial biology and ATP-sensitive potassium channels

ATP sensitive potassium (KATP) channels are metabolic sensors with channel activity promoted by decreases in ATP andnor increases in MgADP. The most studied are channels present in cardiac myocytes and pancreatic b cells but KATP currents also exist more widely in a range of tissues and organs [1,2]. The channel is a hetero-octamer comprising four sulphonylurea receptors and four pore-forming i...

Growth hormone-induced blood pressure decrease is associated with increased mRNA levels of the vascular smooth muscle KATP channel.

Growth hormone (GH) deficiency is associated with abnormal vascular reactivity and development of atherosclerosis. GH treatment in GH deficient states restores systemic vascular resistance, arterial compliance, endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent vasodilation, and may reverse markers of early atherosclerosis. However, very little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying ...

Functional roles of cardiac and vascular ATP-sensitive potassium channels clarified by Kir6.2-knockout mice.

-ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channels were discovered in ventricular cells, but their roles in the heart remain mysterious. K(ATP) channels have also been found in numerous other tissues, including vascular smooth muscle. Two pore-forming subunits, Kir6.1 and Kir6.2, contribute to the diversity of K(ATP) channels. To determine which subunits are operative in the cardiovascular system and t...

Effect of ATP-Dependent K+ Channel Openers and Blockers on Serum Concentration of Aldosterone in Rats

There are many reports for involvement of ATP-sensitive potassium channels in pancreatic, cardiac and vascular smooth muscle cells. This study examined the effect of single doses of K+ channel openers diazoxide, minoxidil and K+ channel blockers chlorpropamide, glibenclamide on serum concentration of aldosterone in male rats. Blood samples were obtained 60 minutes after drug treatment and serum...