DIRECT DEMONSTRATION OF SULFONYLUREA-SENSITIVE K-ATP CHANNELS ON NERVE-TERMINALS OF THE RAT MOTOR CORTEX

We examined whether ATP-sensitive potassium (K-ATP) channels are prese nt on presynaptic terminals of the rat motor cortex, an area of the CN S exhibiting a high density of sulphonylurea binding. A novel fused ne rve terminal preparation was developed which produced structures amena ble to patch clamp methods. In inside-out recordings a K+ channel was observed which possessed all the major features of the Type 1 K-ATP ch annel, including sensitivity to ATP and the antidiabetic sulphonylurea s.