Ca2+ -activated nonselective cation channels in rat neonatal atrial myocytes

A nonselective cation channel activated by intracellular Ca(2+) was identified in inside-out membrane patches taken from cultured rat atrial myocytes. Ca(2+) (0.01-1.00 m M) reversibly activated the channel in a concentration-dependent manner. The channel often showed a quick and irreversible rundown within a few minutes after patch excision. The I-V relationship of the channel was linear between -100 and +100 mV. The single channel conductance was 26.0 +/- 0.5 pS and its open probability was weakly voltage-dependent. Ion-substitution experiments showed that the channel was permeable to monovalent cations (P(x)/P(Cs): Li(+) (1.5) = K(+) (1.5) > Na(+) (1.2) > Rb(+) (1.1) > Cs(+) (1.0)) but not to Cl(-) (P(Cl)/P(Cs) < 0.01) and Ca(2+) (P(Ca)/P(Cs) = 0.02 +/- 0.01).