Large depolarization induces long openings of voltage-dependent calcium channels in adrenal chromaffin cells.
Single Ca2+-channel currents in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells were studied with the patch-clamp technique using Ba2+ as the charge carrier. Depolarizing pulses to voltages less than +10 mV from holding voltage of -60 mV elicited short openings with a mean life time of less than 1 msec. Depolarization to more positive voltages elicited longer openings with a mean life time of about 3 msec in addition to the short openings similar to those observed at less positive voltages. Following large depolarizing prepulses, 2 types of "tail" openings, one with a mean duration of less than 1 msec and the other with a mean duration of 4 msec, were observed. In the presence of a dihydropyridine BAY K 8644, openings with a mean duration of more than 12 msec were present. Depolarization-induced long openings and BAY K 8644-produced long openings differed in the first latency and open-time properties. The results could be explained in terms of multiple open states of one type of Ca2+ channel. A kinetic model with at least 2 open states is required to explain activation of Ca2+ channels in chromaffin cells.
D001498:3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-, Methyl ester / Q000494:pharmacology; D000313:Adrenal Medulla / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000502:physiology*; D002417:Cattle; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D011336:Probability; D011930:Reaction Time
D007473:Ion Channels; D001498:3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-, Methyl ester; D002118:Calcium