OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of BmkTXK(beta), a newly purified 'long chain' peptide inhibitor of K(+) channels from the Chinese scorpion Buthus martensi Karsch (BmK), on the electrophysiological properties of isolated rabbit atrial myocytes.

METHODSThe standard whole-cell patch-clamp technique was used to study the effects of multiple concentrations of BmkTXK(beta) on potassium currents and action potentials.

RESULTSBmkTXK(beta) produced concentration-dependent prolongation of action potential duration at 20%, 50%, and 90% repolarization (APD(20,50,90)) without any use-dependence. Meanwhile, it had no significant effect on RMP, APA, or V(max) (n = 9). At a dose of 1 micro mol/L, BmkTXK(beta) decreased I(to) by 41.4% (n = 10, P < 0.01) at a membrane potential of +50 mV [from (13.63 +/- 0.87) pA/pF to (7.98 +/- 0.78) pA/pF]. I(to) was reduced significantly with an IC(50) value of 1.82 micromol/L (95% confidence interval: 1.47 - 2.17 micro mol/L), in a clear concentration-dependent manner. BmkTXK(beta) blocked I(Ks) and I(Ks),tail with an IC(50) of 20.15 micromol/L and a 95% confidence interval of 16.93 - 23.37 micromol/L. At a concentration of 10 micromol/L, BmkTXK(beta) blocked both I(Ks) (mean reduction 37.3% +/- 4.2%, P < 0.01, n = 7) and I(Ks), tail (mean reduction 35.8% +/- 4.1%, P < 0.01, n = 7). At 0 mV, 10 micromol/L BmkTXK(beta) inhibited both I(Kr) (mean reduction 40.5% +/- 2.6%, P < 0.01, n = 6) and I(Kr), tail (mean reduction 42.3% +/- 2.9%, P < 0.01, n = 6). Blocking of I(Kr) by BmkTXK(beta) occurred in a concentration-dependent manner, with an IC(50) of 17.21 micromol/L (95% confidence interval: 14.76-19.66 micromol/L). An absence of effects on I(K1) was observed for BmkTXK(beta), with no change in reversal-potential (n = 6, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBmkTXK(beta) exerts direct blocking effects on several potassium channels involved in cardiac repolarization, and has a strong effect on prolonging the repolarization of rabbit cardiomyocytes without reverse frequency dependence. This finding suggests that BmkTXK(beta) could be a promising class III drug for anti-arrhythmic therapy without the risk of proarrhythmia.