[Cation channels in the plasma membrane of retinal rod outer segments activated by cGMP]

Properties of cGMP-activated cation channels were investigated on isolated patches of the ROS plasma membrane using the "patch clamp" technique. The channels were shown to be characterized by ideal cation selectivity under physiological conditions and are nearly equally permeable for cations of alkaline metals. At the same time they are permeable for some bivalence cations (PNa approximately PCa). Other channel properties are described and their comparative analysis is given. It suggests that cGMP-activated cation channels represent a new type of cation channels.