Recently, a KAvp channel has been cloned from cardiac musAbstract A eDNA clone encoding an inwardly-rectifying Kcle [6]. This channel (rCKAvp; KATp-I ) belongs to a family of channel (BIR1) was isolated from insulinoma cells. The predicted inwardly rectifying potassium channels [7,[12][13][14][15][16]. All members amino acid sequence shares 72% identity with the cardiac ATPsensitive K-channel rCKAT e (KaTe-1; [6]). The mRNA is expressed of this family show inward rectification which is at least in part in the brain and insulinoma cells. Heterologous expression in induced by intracellular cations which act as voltage-dependent Xenopus oocytes produced currents which were K+-selective, blocking particles and inhibit outward K+-fluxes [8,17]. The time-independent and showed inward rectification. The currents molecular architecture of the inward rectifier channels is were blocked by external barium and caesium, but insensitive to thought to consist of two transmembrane domains (TMs) with tolbutamide and diazoxide. In inside-out patches, channel activity both N-and C-termini residing within the cell. These TMs are was not blocked by 1 mM internal ATE The sequence homology linked by a highly conserved segment, the P-region, which is with KATe-1 suggests that BIR1 is a subunit of a brain and l~-cell believed to line the channel pore and within which resides the KAT e channel. However, pharmacological differences and the lack K÷-selectivity filter [10,11]; only the P-region shows high hoof ATP-sensitivity, suggest that if, this is the case, heterologous mology with the voltage-gated K ÷ channels. Tissue distribution subunits must exert strong modulatory influences on the native channel, studies showed that KATp-1 mRNA is not expressed in fl-cells [6], suggesting that the fl-cell KAvp channel is a different protein. Key words: K-channel; Inward rectifyer; ATP-sensitive An additional K-ATP channel, uKAT P-1, has also been cloned K-channel; Pancreatic fl-cell; BIR 1 and although widely expressed is not found in insulin-secreting cell lines [13]. We now report the cloning and functional expression of an inwardly-rectifying K-channel with homology to 1. Introduction KAT P-I which is found in fl-cells and brain.The fl-cell ATP-sensitive potassium channel (KAvp channel) plays a central role in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion by 2. Materials and methods linking metabolic and membrane events involved in stimulussecretion coupling [3,5]. At the resting potential of the unstim-2.1. Cloning of BIR1 ulated fl-cell, the KAvp channel is spontaneously active. Glucose Poly(A) ÷ RNA was isolated from RINm5F cells using a Fast Track metabolism produces a concentration-dependent inhibition of RNA isolation kit (Invitrogen), and converted to eDNA by reverse transcription with random primers. Oligonucleotides directed to bases channel activity which is believed to be mediated by associated 471~491 and 632-652 of KATp-1 were employed in the polymerase chain changes in the intracellular concentrations of ATP and ADP.reaction [7] (94°C, 30...