ATP‐sensitive potassium (K_ATP) channels are composed of pore‐forming (Kir6.x) and regulatory sulphonylurea receptor (SURx) subunits. We have isolated a novel SUR variant (SUR1bΔ33) from a hypothalamic cDNA library. This variant lacked exon 33 and introduced a frameshift that produced a truncated protein lacking the second nucleotide binding domain (NBD2). It was expressed at low levels in hypothalamus, midbrain, heart and the insulin‐secreting β‐cell line MIN6.

We examined the properties of K_ATP channels composed of Kir6.2 and SUR1bΔ33 by recording macroscopic currents in membrane patches excised from Xenopus oocytes expressing these subunits. We also investigated the effect of truncating SUR1 at either the start (SUR1bT1) or end (SUR1bT2) of exon 33 on K_ATP channel properties.

Kir6.2/SUR1bΔ33 showed an enhanced open probability (P_o= 0.6 at ‐60 mV) and a reduced ATP sensitivity (K_i, 86 μm), when compared with wild‐type channels (P_o= 0.3; K_i, 22 μm). However, Kir6.2/SUR1bT1 and Kir6.2/SUR1bT2 resembled the wild‐type channel in their P_o and ATP sensitivity.

Neither MgADP, nor the K⁺ channel opener diazoxide, enhanced Kir6.2/SUR1bΔ33, Kir6.2/SUR1bT1 or Kir6.2/SUR1bT2 currents, consistent with the idea that these agents require an intact NBD2 for their action. Sulphonylureas blocked K_ATP channels containing any of the three SUR variants, but in excised patches the extent of block was less than that for the wild‐type channel. In intact cells, the extent of sulphonylurea block of Kir6.2/SUR1bΔ33 was greater than that in excised patches and was comparable to that found for wild‐type channels.

Our results demonstrate that NBD2 is not essential for functional expression or sulphonylurea block, but is required for K_ATP channel activation by K⁺ channel openers and nucleotides. Some of the unusual properties of Kir6.2/SUR1bΔ33 resemble those reported for the K_ATP channel of ventromedial hypothalamic (VMH) neurones, but the fact that this mRNA is expressed at low levels in many other tissues makes it less likely that SUR1bΔ33 serves as the SUR subunit for the VMH K_ATP channel.