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Updated: Jan 28, 2026

High-throughput Screening for Small-molecule Modulators of Inward Rectifier Potassium Channels
Published on: January 27, 2013
Two different types of channels are targets for potassium channel openers in Xenopus oocytes
1Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire du CNRS, Valbonne, France.
Abstract:
K+ channel openers elicit K+ currents in follicle-enclosed Xenopus oocytes. The most potent activators are the pinacidil derivatives P1075 and P1060. The rank order of potency to activate K+ currents in follicle-enclosed oocytes was: P1075 (K0.5:5 microM) greater than P1060 (K0.5:12 microM) greater than BRL38227 (lemakalim) (K0.5:77 microM) greater than RP61410 (K0.5:100 microM) greater than (-)pinacidil (K0.5:300 microM). Minoxidil sulfate, nicorandil, RP49356 and diazoxide were ineffective. Activation by the K+ channel openers could be abolished by the antidiabetic sulfonylurea glibenclamide. It was not affected by the blocker of the Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels charybdotoxin. The various K+ channel openers failed to activate glibenclamide-sensitive K+ channels in defolliculated oocytes, but BRL derivatives (K0.5 for BRL38226 is 150 microM) and RP61419 inhibited a background current. The channel responsible for this background current is K+ permeable but not fully selective for K+. It is resistant to glibenclamide. It is inhibited by Ba2+, 4-aminopyridine, Co2+, Ni2+ and La3+.
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