Cell-attached and inside-out excised-patch recording techniques were u
sed to search for mechanosensitive ion channels in neonatal and adult
rat atrial myocytes. A channel activated by negative pressure applied
to the patch, with a single-channel conductance of 52 pS in symmetric
potassium solutions, was frequently observed. This channel has been id
entified as the atrial ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channel on the
basis of its potassium selectivity, as well as its inhibition by ATP
or tolbutamide in the inside-out excised patch. Mechanosensitive modul
ation of the K(ATP) channel has not previously been reported. In the p
resence of 1 mM ATP, 10-50 muM pinacidil (a specific K(ATP) channel ag
onist) does not significantly increase basal K(ATP) channel activity;
however, these concentrations of pinacidil potentiated the mechanosens
itive modulation of the K(ATP) channel. A hypotonic swelling protocol
(a mechanical stimulus) was used in an effort to determine whether mec
hanosensitive modulation of this channel can generate significant whol
e-cell currents. Under perforated-patch whole-cell recording condition
s, superfusion of atrial myocytes with a 240 mosm/kg solution (control
solution, 290 mosm/kg) stimulated whole-cell currents with a magnitud
e similar to those activated by 10 muM pinacidil. These results demons
trate that the gating of the atrial K(ATP) channel is mechanosensitive
and suggest that mechanosensitive modulation may be an additional and
significant mechanism, modulating channel activity under both physiol
ogical and pathological conditions.