Sulfonylurea receptors (SURs) constitute the regulatory subunits of ATP-sensitive K ؉ channels (K ATP channels). SUR binds nucleotides and synthetic K ATP channel modulators, e.g. the antidiabetic sulfonylurea glibenclamide, which acts as a channel blocker. However, knowledge about naturally occurring ligands of SUR is very limited. In this study, we show that the plant phenolic compound trans-resveratrol can bind to SUR and displace binding of glibenclamide. Electrophysiological measurements revealed that resveratrol is a blocker of pancreatic SUR1/ K IR 6.2 K ATP channels. We further demonstrate that, like glibenclamide, resveratrol induces enhanced apoptosis. This was shown by analyzing different apoptotic parameters (cell detachment, nuclear condensation and fragmentation, and activities of different caspase enzymes). The observed apoptotic effect was specific to cells expressing the SUR1 isoform and was not mediated by the electrical activity of K ATP channels, as it was observed in human embryonic kidney 293 cells expressing SUR1 alone. Enhanced susceptibility to resveratrol was not observed in pancreatic -cells from SUR1 knock-out mice or in cells expressing the isoform SUR2A or SUR2B or the mutant SUR1(M1289T). Resveratrol was much more potent than glibenclamide in inducing SUR1-specific apoptosis. Treatment with etoposide, a classical inducer of apoptosis, did not result in SUR isoform-specific apoptosis. In conclusion, resveratrol is a natural SUR ligand that can induce apoptosis in a SUR isoform-specific manner. Considering the tissue-specific expression patterns of SUR isoforms and the possible effects of SUR mutations on susceptibility to apoptosis, these observations could be important for diabetes and/or cancer research.Sulfonylurea receptors (SURs) 2 are members of the ATPbinding cassette protein family (subfamily C). SURs are known to be the important regulatory subunits of ATP-sensitive K ϩ channels (K ATP channels). These channels are heteromeric complexes composed of four SUR subunits that surround a central pore formed by four subunits from the K IR 6.x family. K ATP channels found in various tissues exhibit distinct physiological and pharmacological properties because of the combination of different subunit isoforms (reviewed in Ref. 1). In addition to two nucleotide-binding domains, SUR possesses binding sites for synthetic K ATP channel modulators. The binding sites for blockers and openers are different, but they are linked via complex allosteric interactions (2, 3).Because of their nucleotide sensitivity, K ATP channels couple the energy metabolism of a cell to the membrane potential. This is important in the pancreatic -cell, in which closure of K ATP channels triggers insulin secretion via membrane depolarization in response to changes in blood glucose levels (4 -6). K ATP channel-blocking drugs such as the sulfonylureas and the glinides can promote insulin secretion and are used in the treatment of diabetes type 2. Insulin secretion is also modulated and amplified by other pathways...