Single-Channel L-Type Ca2+ Currents in Chicken Embryo Semicircular Canal Type I and Type II Hair Cells
Few data are available concerning single Ca channel properties in inner ear hair cells and particularly none in vestibular type I hair cells. By using the cell-attached configuration of the patch-clamp technique in combination with the semicircular canal crista slice preparation, we determined the elementary properties of voltage-dependent Ca channels in chicken embryo type I and type II hair cells. The pipette solutions included Bay K 8644. With 70 mM Ba2+ in the patch pipette, Ca channel activity appeared as very brief openings at −60 mV. Ca channel properties were found to be similar in type I and type II hair cells; therefore data were pooled. The mean inward current amplitude was −1.3 ± 0.1 (SD) pA at − 30 mV ( n = 16). The average slope conductance was 21 pS ( n = 20). With 5 mM Ba2+ in the patch pipette, very brief openings were already detectable at −80 mV. The mean inward current amplitude was −0.7 ± 0.2 pA at −40 mV ( n = 9). The average slope conductance was 11 pS ( n = 9). The mean open time and the open probability increased significantly with depolarization. Ca channel activity was still present and unaffected when ω-agatoxin IVA (2 μM) and ω-conotoxin GVIA (3.2 μM) were added to the pipette solution. Our results show that types I and II hair cells express L-type Ca channels with similar properties. Moreover, they suggest that in vivo Ca2+ influx might occur at membrane voltages more negative than −60 mV.