Transitional changes in membrane potential and intracellular [Ca2+] in rat basophilic leukemia cells

Using whole-cell current-clamp measurements we have found that thapsigargin-mediated activation of store-regulated Ca2+ entry in rat basophilic leukemia cells is accompanied by complex changes in membrane potential. These changes consisted of: (i) an initial slow, small depolarization, (ii) a transitional change in potential to a depolarized value and (iii) transitional changes between a hyperpolarized and a depolarized potential. These complex changes in potential can be explained by the interaction between the endogenous inwardly rectifying K+ conductance and the generation of a small inward current. To investigate the possible influence of these changes of potential on [Ca2+]i, single cell measurements of fura2 fluorescence were undertaken alone or in combination with current-clamp measurements. Thapsigargin-mediated activation of the store-regulated Ca2+ entry pathway was accompanied by a marked increase of [Ca2+]i. During this increase, transient, abrupt declines in [Ca2+]i were detected in approximately 60% of the cells investigated. These changes of [Ca2+]i are consistent with the observed changes of membrane potential recorded under current-clamp.