ATP-sensitive K+ channels that are blocked by hypoglycemia-inducing sulfonylureas in insulin-secreting cells are activated by galanin, a hyperglycemia-inducing hormone.

The action of the hyperglycemia-inducing hormone galanin, a 29-amino acid peptide named from its N-terminal glycine and C-terminal amidated alanine, was studied in rat insulinoma (RINm5F) cells using electrophysiological and 86Rb+ flux techniques. Galanin hyperpolarizes and reduces spontaneous electrical activity by activating a population of ATP-sensitive K+ channels with a single-channel conductance of 30 pS (at -60 mV). Galanin-induced hyperpolarization and reduction of spike activity are reversed by the hypoglycemia-inducing sulfonylurea glibenclamide. Glibenclamide blocks the galanin-activated ATP-sensitive K+ channel. 86Rb+ efflux from insulinoma cells is stimulated by galanin in a dose-dependent manner. The half-maximum value of activation is found at 1.6 nM. Galanin-induced 86Rb+ efflux is abolished by glibenclamide. The half-maximum value of inhibition is found at 0.3 nM, which is close to the half-maximum value of inhibition of the ATP-dependent K+ channel reported earlier. 86Rb+ efflux studies confirm the electrophysiological demonstration that galanin activates an ATP-dependent K+ channel.