4-aminopyridine activates potassium currents by activation of a muscarinic receptor in feline atrial myocytes.

1. The effects of 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) on action potentials, macroscopic membrane currents and single-channel recording from cardiac left atrial myocytes of the adult cat were studied using the whole-cell and cell-attached configurations of the patch-clamp technique. 2. 4-AP (1 mM) produced a hyperpolarization of the resting membrane potential and a shortening of action potential duration. Under voltage-clamp conditions, we have found that 4-AP increased a background current and a delayed rectifier outward current. These effects were antagonized by atropine. In addition, both effects seemed to be mediated through a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein. 3. The background current induced by 4-AP displayed properties that are highly similar to those of the inwardly rectifying potassium current activated by acetylcholine (IK(ACh)). The time-dependent potassium current activated by 4-AP has kinetic and pharmacological properties different from those of the delayed rectifier potassium current previously identified in cardiac myocytes. 4. The activation of the delayed rectifier-like potassium current could be explained by the activation of a novel muscarinic receptor subtype in which acetylcholine acts as the antagonist. Another possibility is that 4-AP activates IK(ACh) in a time- and voltage-dependent manner.