Catechol blocks the fast outward potassium current in melanotrophs of the rat pituitary.

The effect of catechol on the fast voltage-gated K+ current (IK(f)) of acutely dissociated rat melanotrophs was investigated in whole-cell recordings. Half-maximal inhibition of IK(f) occurred at an external concentration of 1.7 mM and this effect was associated with a decrease of the rate of the current decay. Internal catechol had no measurable effect on IK(f). Catechol appeared to be equally effective as a blocker of the slow voltage-gated K+ current (IK(s)). Despite this lack of specificity the blocking action of catechol was voltage- and frequency-independent and was rapidly reversible. Catechol therefore represents a useful alternative to 4-aminopyridine as a blocker of IK(f).