Membrane potential oscillation from a novel combination of ion channels

Single pigmented epithelial cells from the ciliary body of the eye were studied using the whole cell voltage and current clamp, permeabilized patch recording, and patch-clamp recording. These cells can produce two types of oscillation. Both are slow, with a period in the range of 1-2 min; one has a low amplitude and oscillates between -60 and -80 mV, and the second is larger, with biphasic hyperpolarizing and depolarizing phases. The latter was seen when the membrane potential was driven negative by a constant current and results from the interplay between the inward rectifier K+ channel and a hyperpolarizing-activated cation channel. The hyperpolarization is caused by the constant current acting on a decreasing conductance as the inward rectifier inactivates, and the depolarization drive results from the activation of cation channels. It is suggested that the constant current would be provided by the Na+ pump in vivo, and such an interplay of channels and pumps could drive the uptake of cations in absorbing epithelia or provide an increased driving force for chloride exit in secretory epithelia.