Electrophysiology Assay: Block of Kir1.1 (ROMK1) currents was examined by whole cell voltage clamp (Hamill et. al. Pfluegers Archives 391:85-100 (1981)) using the IonWorks Quattro automated electrophysiology platform (Molecular Devices, Sunnyvale, Calif.). Chinese hamster ovary cells stably expressing Kir1.1 channels were maintained in T-75 flasks in cell culture media in a humidified 10% CO2 incubator at 37 C. Prior to an experiment, Kir1.1 expression was induced by overnight incubation with 1 mM sodium butyrate. On the day of the experiment, cells were dissociated with 2.5 mL of Versene (Invitrogen 15040-066) for approximately 6 min at 37 C. and suspended in 10 mL of bath solution containing (in mM): 150 NaCl, 10 KCl, 2.7 CaCl2, 0.5 MgCl2, 5 HEPES, pH 7.4. After centrifugation, the cell pellet was resuspended in approximately 4.0 mL of bath solution and placed in the IonWorks instrument. The intracellular solution consisted of (in mM): 80 K gluconate, 40 KCl, 20 KF, 3.2 MgCl2, 3 EGTA, 5 Hepes, pH 7.4.
Thallium Flux Assay: The ROMK channel functional thallium flux assay is performed in 384 wells, using the FLIPR-Tetra instrument. HEK-hKir1.1 cells are seeded in Poly-D-Lysine microplates and kept in a 37 C.-10% CO2 incubator overnight. On the day of the experiment, the growth media is replaced with the FluxOR reagent loading buffer and incubated, protected from light, at ambient temperature (23-25 C.) for 90 min. The loading buffer is replaced with assay buffer+/-test compound followed by 30 min incubation at ambient temperature, where the Thallium/Potassium stimulant is added to the microplate.Step Protocol 1. Seed HEK-hKir1.1 cells (50 ul at 20,000 cells/well) in 384-well PDL coated Microplates 2. Allow cells to adhere overnight in humidified 37 C./10% CO2 incubator 3. Completely remove cell growth media from microplate and replace with 25 ul loading buffer 4. Incubate Microplate at room temperature, protected form light, for 90 min 5.