ANGIOTENSIN-II BLOCKS ATP-SENSITIVE K+ CHANNELS IN PORCINE CORONARY-ARTERY SMOOTH-MUSCLE CELLS

ATP-sensitive K+ channels with small conductance (30 pS in symmetrical K+-rich solutions) in porcine coronary artery smooth muscle cells were highly active at physiological concentrations of Ca2+ (>10-4M) even in the presence of physiological ATP levels, suggesting that these channels contribute to the generation of the resting membrane potential in vascular smooth muscle cells and their modulation is important in controlling vasomotor tone. Angiotensin II, applied from outside the membrane, blocked these channels in a concentration-dependent manner. This would be expected to cause depolarization and result in vasoconstriction. © 1991.