Direct demonstration of sulphonylurea‐sensitive KATP channels on nerve terminals of the rat motor cortex

Abstract

We examined whether ATP‐sensitive potassium (KATP) channels are present on presynaptic terminals of the rat motor cortex, an area of the CNS exhibiting a high density of sulphonylurea binding. A novel fused nerve terminal preparation was developed which produced structures amenable to patch clamp methods. In inside‐out recordings a K+channel was observed which possessed all the major features of the Type 1 KATP channel, including sensitivity to ATP and the antidiabetic sulphonylureas. 1995 British Pharmacological Society