Mg(2+)‐dependent inward rectification of ROMK1 potassium channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes.

1. ROMK1 potassium channel currents were examined in Xenopus oocytes by two‐microelectrode voltage‐clamp and patch‐clamp techniques following injection of oocytes with in vitro transcribed ROMK1 cRNA. Macroscopic currents recorded from intact cells rectified inwardly at positive potentials. 2. In inside‐out membrane patches rectification is manifested as an apparent reduction of single channel current (at 500 Hz) in the presence of 0.1‐10 mM Mg2+, without a decrease in the channel open probability. No inward rectification is observed when membrane patches are isolated into solutions containing potassium as the only internal inorganic cation. 3. Mg2+ block can be described by a simple one‐site model for Mg2+ binding with K0 ([Mg2+] causing half‐maximal block at 0 mV) of 16.7 mM and delta (the fraction of the membrane field sensed by the blocking Mg2+) of 0.35. 4. The voltage dependence of channel block by cytoplasmic Mg2+ was shifted approximately ‐50 mV by a reduction in extracellular [K+] from 140 to 0 mM, corresponding to a decrease of K0 to 4.4 mM. 5. At negative membrane potentials, ROMK1 channels exhibit a single subconducting state that is approximately 4/10 of the full conductance. The incidence of subconductance states is not appreciably enhanced in the presence of Mg2+.