[3] The primary function of the sulfonylurea receptor is to sense intracellular levels of the nucleotides ATP and ADP and in response facilitate the open or closing its associated Kir6.x potassium channel.
[4] Depending on the tissue in which the KATP channel is expressed, altering the membrane potential can trigger a variety of downstream events.
Under cerebral ischemic conditions, SUR1, the regulatory subunit of the KATP and the NCCa-ATP channels, is expressed in neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, endothelial cells[5] and by reactive microglia.
[6] Blockade of SUR1 receptors with glibenclamide has been involved in improved outcome in animal stroke models and investigational human studies by preventing brain swelling[7] and enhancing neuroprotection.
[6] The isoforms of the sulfonylurea receptor have the following tissue distribution: The SUR1 protein is coded by the ABCC8 gene and is associated with congenital hyperinsulinism[8] and susceptibility to type 2 diabetes.