1 The effects of clonidine and adrenaline on adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive K + channels were studied in pancreatic #-cells from normal mice.2 When perifused with a medium containing 1 mm glucose, many of the ATP-sensitive K+ channels in the fl-cell membrane are open. Under these conditions, clonidine (5-100,uM) reversibly decreased 86Rb efflux from the islets, whereas adrenaline was ineffective at concentrations up to 100,UM.3 In 6 mm glucose, most of the ATP-sensitive K + channels in the fl-cell membrane are closed. Opening these channels by diazoxide (100pM) caused a marked acceleration of 86Rb efflux from the islets, which was attenuated by 100pM clonidine.4 ATP-sensitive K+ currents were measured in single fl-cells by the whole cell mode of the patch-clamp technique. At concentrations above 4pM, clonidine reversibly inhibited the ATP-sensitive K+ current in a dose-dependent manner.5 Voltage-sensitive K+ currents were unaffected by 20OpM but decreased slightly by 100pM clonidine.6 Calcium currents, measured by the whole cell or perforated patch technique, were unaffected by clonidine at concentrations up to 100pM. 7 It is concluded that high concentrations of the a2-adrenoceptor agonist clonidine, but not of adrenaline, can inhibit ATP-sensitive K+ channels in pancreatic fl-cells. Other ionic channels are only slightly affected or unaffected.