Abstract

The inwardly rectifying K⁺ channel Kir6.1 forms K⁺ channels by coupling with a sulfonylurea receptor in reconstituted systems, but the physiological roles of Kir6.1-containing K⁺ channels have not been determined. We report here that mice lacking the gene encoding Kir6.1 (known as Kcnj8) have a high rate of sudden death associated with spontaneous ST elevation followed by atrioventricular block as seen on an electrocardiogram. The K⁺ channel opener pinacidil did not induce K⁺ currents in vascular smooth-muscle cells of Kir6.1-null mice, and there was no vasodilation response to pinacidil. The administration of methylergometrine, a vasoconstrictive agent, elicited ST elevation followed by cardiac death in Kir6.1-null mice but not in wild-type mice, indicating a phenotype characterized by hypercontractility of coronary arteries and resembling Prinzmetal (or variant) angina in humans. The Kir6.1-containing K⁺ channel is critical in the regulation of vascular tonus, especially in the coronary arteries, and its disruption may cause Prinzmetal angina.