Abstract
To explore whether $Cl^-$ channel blockers interact with the ATP-sensitive $K^+\;(K_{ATP})$ channel, I have examined the effect of two common $Cl^-$ channel blockers on the $K_{ATP}$ channel activity in isolated rat ventricular myocytes using patch clamp techniques. In inside-out patches, 4,4'-diisothio-cyanatostilbene- 2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS) and niflumic acid applied to bath solution inhibited the $K_{ATP}$ channel activity in a concentration-dependent manner with $IC_{50}$ of 0.24 and 927 ${\mu}M,$ respectively. The inhibitory action of DIDS was irreversible whereas that of niflumic acid was reversible. Furthermore, DIDS-induced block was not recovered despite exposure to ATP (1 mM). In cell-attached and inside-out patches, DIDS blocked the pinacidil- or 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP)-induced $K_{ATP}$ channel openings. In contrast, niflumic acid did not block the pinacidil-induced $K_{ATP}$ channel openings in inside-out patches, but inhibited it in cell-attached patches. DIDS and niflumic acid produced additional block in the presence of ATP and did not affect current-voltage relationship and channel kinetics. All these results indicate that DIDS among $Cl^-$ channel blockers specifically blocks the cardiac $K_{ATP}$ channel.