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Updated: Aug 19, 2026

High-throughput Screening for Small-molecule Modulators of Inward Rectifier Potassium Channels
Published on: January 27, 2013
Rapid intracellular TEA block of the KcsA potassium channel
Esin Kutluay1, Benoît Roux, Lise Heginbotham
1Department of Biochemistry, Weill Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Cornell University, New York, New York 10021, USA.
Abstract:
Intracellular tetraethylammonium (TEA) inhibition was studied at the single-channel level in the KcsA potassium channel reconstituted in planar lipid bilayers. TEA acts as a fast blocker (resulting in decreased current amplitude) with an affinity in the 75 mM range even at high bandwidth. Studies over a wide voltage range reveal that TEA block has a complex voltage-dependence that also depends on the ionic conditions. These observations are examined in the context of permeation models to extend our understanding of the coupling between permeant ions and TEA blockade.
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