title: Polyamine block of inwardly rectifying potassium channels.
abstract: Polyamine blockade of inwardly rectifying potassium (Kir) channels underlies their steep voltage--dependence observed in native cells. The structural determinants of polyamine blockade and the structure-activity profile of endogenous polyamines requires specialized methodology for characterizing polyamine interactions with Kir channels. Recent identification and growing interest in the structure and function of prokaryotic Kir channels (KirBacs) has driven the development of new techniques for measuring ion channel activity. Several methods for measuring polyamine interactions with prokaryotic and eukaryotic Kir channels are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: Harley T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Kurata
authors.forename: Wayland W L
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Colin G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Nichols
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019556:COS Cells; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D008081:Liposomes / Q000378:metabolism; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D011073:Polyamines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D024661:Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D011387:Prokaryotic Cells / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D008081:Liposomes; D011073:Polyamines; D024661:Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying