Recently, we reported that 11,12-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (11,12-EET) potently activates rat mesenteric arterial ATP-sensitive K(+) (K(ATP)) channels and produces significant vasodilation through protein kinase A-dependent mechanisms. In this study, we tried to further delineate the signaling steps involved in the activation of vascular K(ATP) channels by EETs. Whole cell patch-clamp recordings...

ATP-sensitive K+ (K(ATP)) channels are nucleotide-gated channels that couple the metabolic status of a cell with membrane excitability and regulate a number of cellular functions, including hormone secretion and cardioprotection. Although intracellular ATP is the endogenous inhibitor of K(ATP) channels and ADP serves as the channel activator, it is still a matter of debate whether changes in th...

We studied preBötzinger Complex (preBötC) inspiratory interneurons to determine the cellular mechanisms that influence burst termination in a mammalian central pattern generator. Neonatal mouse slice preparations that retain preBötC neurons generate respiratory motor rhythms in vitro. Inspiratory-related bursts rely on inward currents that flux Na(+), thus outward currents coupled to Na(+) accu...

To examine the role of sarcolemmal K(ATP) channels in cardiac function, we generated transgenic mice expressing GFP-tagged Kir6.2 subunits with reduced ATP sensitivity under control of the cardiac alpha-myosin heavy chain promoter. Four founder mice were isolated, and both founders and progeny were all apparently normal and fertile. Electrocardiograms from conscious animals also appeared normal...

OBJECTIVE ATP-sensitive K+ channels have been classified based on their inhibition by cytoplasmic ATP. Recent evidence in vascular smooth muscle has suggested that these channels show weak sensitivity to intracellular ATP. However, it is not known whether these channels regulate the resting K+ conductance in vascular smooth muscles. Therefore, the aim of the present investigation was to charact...

The ATP-sensitive potassium channel (K(ATP)) in mouse colonic smooth muscle cell is a complex containing a pore-forming subunit (Kir6.1) and a sulfonylurea receptor subunit (SUR2B). These channels contribute to the cellular excitability of smooth muscle cells and hence regulate the motility patterns in the colon. Whole-cell voltage-clamp techniques were used to study the alterations in K(ATP) c...