Chemical Properties
white crystalline powder
Definition
ChEBI: A quarternary ammonium chloride salt in which the cation has four ethyl substituents around the central nitrogen.
Biological Activity
Non-selective K + channel blocker.
Biochem/physiol Actions
Tetraethylammonium chloride (TEAC) blocks K+ channels non-specifically. In rat aorta rings, tetraethylammonium inhibits relaxation induced by peroxynitrite. It blocks nicotinic acetylcholine neurotransmission by blocking the receptor-mediated K+ currents. TEAC can increase the contractility and mobility of colon and rectum and is a therapeutic option for Hirschsprung′s disease patients. TEAC reduces the inflammatory responses, improves cardiac, vascular and hemodynamic properties during early sepsis in animals. TEAC has cytotoxic and anti-proliferative potential and induces apoptosis in glioma cells by downregulating B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and upregulating Bcl-2 associated X (Bax).
in vitro
tetraethylammonium (tea) is a small ion that is thought to block open k channels by binding either to an internal or to an external site. for this reason, it has been used to probe the ion conduction pathway or pore of k channel mutants and a k channel chimera. tea blocks k+ channels at two sites, which define the inner and outer mouths of the channel pores [1].
in vivo
vasorelaxant effect of taurine can be diminished by tea in rat isolated arteries [2]
storage
Room temperature (desiccate)
Purification Methods
Crystallise the chloride from EtOH by adding diethyl ether, from warm water by adding EtOH and diethyl ether, from dimethylacetamide or from CH2Cl2 by addition of diethyl ether. Dry it over P2O5 in vacuum for several days. It also crystallises from acetone/CH2Cl2/hexane (2:2:1) [Blau & Espenson J Am Chem Soc 108 1962 1986, White & Murray J Am Chem Soc 109 2576 1987]. [Beilstein 4 IV 332.]
References
[1] taglialatela m, vandongen am, drewe ja, joho rh, brown am, kirsch ge. patterns of internal and external tetraethylammonium block in four homologous k+ channels. mol pharmacol. 1991 aug;40(2):299-307.
[2] niu lg, zhang ms, liu y, xue wx, liu db, zhang j, liang yq. vasorelaxant effect of taurine is diminished by tetraethylammonium in rat isolated arteries. eur j pharmacol. 2008 feb 2;580(1-2):169-74. epub 2007 oct 25.
[3] shea pa, dunklee pe, et al. preliminary clinical investigation of tetraethylammonium chloride with particular reference to disorders of the circulatory system. calif med. 1948 sep;69(3):193-6.
