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Updated: Jul 20, 2026

Whole-Cell Recording of Calcium Release-Activated Calcium (CRAC) Currents in Human T Lymphocytes
Published on: December 21, 2010
A voltage-gated calcium channel is linked to the antigen receptor in Jurkat T lymphocytes
J J Densmore1, G Szabo, L S Gray
1Department of Pathology, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Charlottesville 22908.
Abstract:
Activation of T lymphocytes results in an increase in intracellular Ca2+ due in large part to influx of extracellular Ca2+. Using the patch clamp technique, an inward current in Jurkat T lymphocytes was observed upon depolarization from a holding potential of -90 mV but not from -60 mV. This whole-cell current was insensitive to tetrodotoxin, carried by Ba2+, and blocked by Ni2+. Occupancy of the T lymphocyte antigen receptor increased the current's magnitude. These data suggest that antigen receptor-induced Ca2+ entry in T lymphocytes may be mediated by a voltage-regulated Ca channel.
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