Pacemaker current in single cells and in aggregates of cells dissociated from the embryonic chick heart

1. We have measured the time-dependent pacemaker current, I(f), in single cells, or small clusters of two or three cells dissociated from embryonic chick hearts with the whole-cell patch clamp technique, and in multicellular reaggregates of dissociated cells with the two-microelectrode voltage clamp technique. 2. We observed time-dependent current (I(f)) in the -90 to -60 mV range from aggregates of ventricular cells, as in our earlier results from this preparation, which we previously attributed to the potassium ion current mechanism, IK2. We also observed I(f) in single atrial cells and aggregates of atrial cells. 3. The range of activation of I(f) was -120 to -90 mV in atrial preparations (either single cells or aggregates). The activation range of I(f) in ventricular cells was also -120 to -90 mV which is approximately 30 mV negative to the I(f) activation range in ventricular cell aggregates. The reasons for this shift of I(f) in ventricular preparations are unknown. 4. The I(f) component clearly underlies the spontaneous pacemaker depolarization which is observed in ventricular heart cell aggregates during the first week of embryonic development. However, I(f) is not a significant factor underlying spontaneous activity in atrial preparations. The pacemaker current in these cells is a net inward background component, which is significantly reduced in amplitude with development, as is the I(f) component in the ventricle.