InsP3-gated ion channels in rat olfactory cilia membrane

InsP3-gated channels present in isolated rat olfactory cilia membranes were studied by recording current fluctuations in cilia membranes fused onto phospholipid bilayers formed at the tip of a patch pipette. We found that InsP3 (1.25 to 30 microM) induced current fluctuations in 18 of 157 otherwise silent bilayers. The ion channels opened by InsP3 could be classified into two groups that differed in terms of conductance and kinetics. One channel, which had a conductance of 37 pS, displayed two current levels, and the larger single channel currents were associated with longer open dwell times. The other channel displayed a larger conductance (103-184 pS). Both types of channels displayed reversal potentials near zero millivolts, consistent with nonspecific cation channels. These experiments suggest that mammalian olfactory neurons possess two types of ciliary InsP3-gated channels.