Patent ID: 7138248

Claim:
A method for screening for agents that inhibit the activity of a Kir3.0 channel, the method comprising: a) combining at least two different inward rectifier, G-protein activated, mammalian, potassium Kir3.0 polypeptides in a cell to form a functional Kir3.0 channel; b) combining the candidate agent with said Kir3.0 channel under conditions that permit inward K+current; c) determining the induced current, wherein a reduction in said induced current in the presence of said agent as compared to a control is indicative that said agent inhibits the activity of a Kir3.0 channel, wherein at least one of said Kir3.0 polypeptides are selected from the group consisting of polypeptides having at least about 90% amino acid sequence identity with a Kir3.1 polypeptide encoded by the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO: 7, a Kir3.2 polypeptide encoded by the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO:11, a Kir3.3 polypeptide encoded by the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO:12, and a Kir3.4 polypeptide encoded by the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO:16.