Augmentation by intracellular ATP of the delayed rectifier current independently of the glibenclamide-sensitive K-current in rabbit arterial myocytes.

Elevation of intracellular ATP levels by flash photolysis of caged ATP augmented the delayed rectifier K-current (IKDR) in rabbit pulmonary artery myocytes. The percentage augmentation was unaffected when IKDR was inactivated by 50% (holding potential -40 mV), although the magnitude of the ATP-induced current was substantially reduced. Inactivation of 90% IKDR (holding potential -20 mV) virtually abolished the ATP-dependent augmentation. We conclude that modulation of IKDR by ATP does not require conversion of the glibenclamide-sensitive K-current (IK(ATP)).