A charybdotoxin-sensitive, Ca(2+)-activated K+ channel with inward rectifying properties in brain microvascular...

A charybdotoxin-sensitive, Ca(2+)-activated K+ channel was identified in cultured rat brain capillary endothelial cells by using conventional single-channel recording techniques and 86(Rb+)-influx and efflux experiments. Channel activity was dependent on the presence of Ca2+ on the cytosolic face of the membrane with a threshold concentration of 100 nM. It was inhibited by charybdotoxin (IC50 30 nM) and quinine (IC50 0.1 mM) but not by apamin. K(Ca) channels showed unusual inward rectifying properties under asymmetrical ionic conditions. They were activated by endothelin-1 (EC50 0.7 nM) and endothelin-3 (EC50 7-10 nM). The actions of endothelins were prevented by BQ-123 (Ki = 8 nM) in a competitive fashion, hence suggesting the involvement of an ETA-receptor subtype. The channel activity was unaffected by cyclic AMP- or cyclic GMP-elevating agents. The possible role of the intermediate conductance, Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels for mediating K+ movements across the blood-brain barrier is discussed.