ATP-sensitive K(+) channels are the target for K(+) channel openers such as pinacidil. These channels are formed from pore-forming Kir6. 2 and regulatory sulfonylurea receptor (SUR) subunits. Pinacidil activates channels containing SUR2A (heart, skeletal muscle), but not those containing SUR1 (beta cells). Surprisingly, binding of the pinacidil analog [(3)H]P1075 is dependent on added nucleotid...

Advances in understanding the overall structural features of inward rectifiers and ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters are providing novel insight into the architecture of ATP-sensitive K+ channels (KATP channels) (KIR6.0/SUR)4. The structure of the K(IR) pore has been modeled on bacterial K+ channels, while the lipid-A exporter, MsbA, provides a template for the MDR-like core of sulfonylur...

Controlled-rate freezing (CRF) of biopolymer scaffolds may increase reproducibility of microstructure compared with analog processes. Freezing of collagen-glycosaminoglycan (CG) scaffolds by CRF with liquid nitrogen at chamber cooling rates of -80, -40, -20, or -10°C/min, was compared with submersion in 95% ethanol at -55°C. Cooling rates of -80 or -40°C/min generated scaffolds with pore areas ...

We report a case of a 6-week-old infant with diabetes mellitus based on a genetic defect in the sulfonylurea receptor 1 (SUR1), an ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel protein. A spectacular improvement in glucose regulation was shown by real-time continuous glucose monitoring when switching her from insulin to oral glibenclamide. Children with neonatal onset of diabetes deserve genetic testi...

Two mammalian genes encode the SURx (SUR1, Abcc8 and SUR2, Abcc9) subunits that combine with Kir6.2 (Kcnj11) subunits to form the ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel in cardiac myocytes. Different isoform combinations endow the channel with distinct physiological and pharmacological properties, and we have recently reported that the molecular composition of sarcolemmal KATP channels is chamb...

The Pima Indian population of Arizona has one of the highest prevalence of diabetes of any population in the world, and the Pima Indians of the Gila River Indian Community have probably been the most studied group for the causes and consequences of diabetes. They develop what would be considered to be classic type 2 diabetes, characterized by obesity and insulin resistance with progression to d...