TRAM-34 selectively blocks the IKCa1 current (Kd=25 nM), TRAM-34 also blocks IKCa1 currents in human T84 colonic epithelial cells with equivalent potency (Kd=22 nM). TRAM-34 inhibits the cloned and the native IKCa1 channel in human T lymphocytes with a Kd of 20-25 nM and is 200- to 1,500-fold selective over other ion channels. The dose-response curve reveals a Kd of 20±3 nM and a Hill coefficient of 1.2 with 1 μM calcium in the pipette. TRAM-34, a specific inhibitor of KCa 3.1 channels increased or decreased cell proliferation depending on the concentration. At intermediate concentrations (3-10 µM) TRAM-34 increased cell proliferation, whereas at higher concentrations (20-100 µM) TRAM-34 decreased cell proliferation. The enhancement of cell proliferation caused by TRAM-34 is blocked by the oestrogen receptor antagonists ICI182,780 and tamoxifen. TRAM-34 also increases progesterone receptor mRNA expression, decreased oestrogen receptor-α mRNA expression and reduced the binding of radiolabelled oestrogen to MCF-7 oestrogen receptor, in each case mimicking the effects of 17β-oestradiol.