AMINOPYRIDINE INHIBITION AND VOLTAGE-DEPENDENCE OF K+ CURRENTS IN SMOOTH-MUSCLE CELLS FROM CEREBRAL-ARTERIES

Voltage-dependent K+ currents were characterized using the patch-clamp technique in smooth muscle cells isolated from rabbit cerebral (basilar) arteries. This study focused on the voltage dependence and the pharmacology of these K+ currents, since this information will be useful for the investigation of the role of the voltage-dependent K+ channels in arterial function. Currents through Ca2+-activated K+ (K-Ca) channels were minimized by buffering intracellular Ca2+ to low levels and by blockers (tetraethylammonium and iberiotoxin) of these channels. Membrane depolarization increased K+ currents, independent of changes in the driving force for K+ movement. With 140 mM internal and external K+, activation of K+ currents by membrane depolarization was half maximal at about -10 mV and increased as much as e-fold per 11 mV. Inactivation also depended on voltage, with a midpoint at -44 mV. 3,4-Diaminopyridine (3,4-DAP), 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), S-aminopyridine (3-AP), and 2-aminopyridine (2-AP) inhibited voltage-dependent K+ currents. At 0 mV, 3,4-DAP, 4-AP, 3-AP, and 2-AP (5 mM) inhibited the K+ currents by 84, 66, 36, and 8%, respectively. Phencyclidine (100 mu M) inhibited the current by 53% at 0 mV. Steady-state whole cell currents through these channels were measured at physiological membrane potentials. At -40 mV, 4-AP (5 mM) reduced the steady-state outward current by 2.5 pA. These results are consistent with the idea that voltage-dependent K+ channels are involved in the regulation of the membrane potential of arterial smooth muscle.