A new benzoxazine compound blocks KATP channels in pancreatic β cells: molecular basis for tissue selectivity in vitro and hypoglycaemic action in vivo

Background and purpose: The 2‐propyl‐1,4 benzoxazine (AM10) shows a peculiar behaviour in skeletal muscle, inhibiting or opening the ATP‐sensitive K+ (KATP) channel in the absence and presence of ATP, respectively. We focused on tissue selectivity and mechanism of action of AM10 by testing its effects on pancreatic KATP channels by means of both in vitro and in vivo investigations. Experimental approach: In vitro, patch‐clamp recordings were performed in native pancreatic beta cells and in tsA201 cells expressing the Kir6.2ΔC36 channel. In vivo, an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test was performed in normal mice. Key results: In contrast with what observed in the skeletal muscle, AM10, in whole cell perforated mode, did not augment KATP current (IKATP) of native beta cells but it inhibited it in a concentration‐dependent manner (IC50: 11.5 nM; maximal block: 60%). Accordingly, in current clamp recordings, a concentration‐dependent membrane depolarization was observed. On excised patches, AM10 reduced the open‐time probability of KATP channels without altering their single channel conductance; the same effect was observed in the presence of trypsin in the bath solution. Moreover, AM10 inhibited, in an ATP‐independent manner, the K+ current resulting from expressed Kir6.2ΔC36 (maximal block: 60% at 100 μM; IC50: 12.7 nM) corroborating an interaction with Kir. In vivo, AM10 attenuated the glycemia increase following a glucose bolus in a dose‐dependent manner, without, at the dose tested, inducing fasting hypoglycaemia. Conclusion and implications: Altogether, these results help to gain insight into a new class of tissue specific KATP channel modulators. British Journal of Pharmacology (2006) 149, 870–879. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706895