三氟氯氰菊酯对棉铃虫神经细胞延迟整流钾电流的抑制作用

用膜片钳技术首次研究了三氟氯氰菊酯对离体培养的棉铃虫中枢神经细胞延迟整流钾通道电流的影响。结果表明,药物作用前有81%和39%的细胞的通道分别在-30 mV 和 -40 mV 激活（n=21）。三氟氯氰菊酯（10^-5 mmol/L）作用15 min后,有63%和38%细胞的通道分别在-40 mV 和 -50 mV 激活（n=8）;作用1 min后电流幅值明显降低,抑制率达到了37.7%（n=19）;加药后激活曲线明显左移且Vh 值变化显著,但k值没有明显变化。实验结果说明,三氟氯氰菊酯作用后,通道更容易激活,但显著抑制电流峰值,导致神经敏感性降低,棉铃虫中枢神经细胞钾通道也是拟除虫菊酯类药物的作用靶标之一。     

增效混剂对神经细胞钠通道的抑制作用

应用膜片钳技术,以MN-9D神经细胞为材料研究了溴氰菊酯及辛硫磷混剂的增效机理。膜片钳实验表明10^-5mol/L辛硫磷对Na⁺通道电流抑制作用很小,并随作用时间延长而逐步恢复。加药1 min Na⁺电流抑制率为6.99%,10 min为3.65%。10^-6 mol/L溴氰菊酯1 min抑制率为20.28%,10 min为21.43%。对蜚蠊中枢神经系统传导的动作电位抑制中时为53 min;10^-6mol/L溴氰菊酯与10^-5 mol/L辛硫磷混剂1 min抑制率为34.15%,10 min为36.69%,动作电位抑制中时为40 min,因此混剂可增强对Na⁺通道电流的抑制作用。通过Na⁺电流数据、尾电流衰减时间常数统计分析表明溴氰菊酯的修饰作用主要发生在关闭和静止状态的Na⁺通道,减缓通道的打开,延长通道关闭或失活状态。     

氯氰菊酯异构体对黑胸大蠊神经钠钾通道的调制作用

用电生理油间隙、单纤维、电压钳位技术研究了氯氰菊酯顺、反异构体对黑胸大蠊[Periplaneta fulginosa(Serville)]中枢神经大轴突钠通道的调节抑制作用,并探讨了反式异构体与钾通道的作用关系.结果证明:1.2×10^-3mol/L顺式异构体作用于钠通道,先使其开放,然后抑制.2.出现钠尾电流,表明有更多数量的钠通道处于开放状态.3.5.4×10^-4mol/L反式异构体可阻滞迟缓钾通道并降低钾电流I_K的峰值.     

金属离子和脲对白蜡虫碱性磷酸酶的影响

各种金属离子及脲对白蜡虫Ericerus pela (Chavannes)碱性磷酸酶的活性有不同的影响。从白蜡虫雌成虫中分离纯化得到碱性磷酸酶,加入各种不同浓度的金属离子及脲测定酶的活力。一价金属离子Na⁺、K⁺、Li⁺对酶活力没有影响。碱土金属离子Ca²⁺、Mg²⁺、Ba²⁺对酶有激活作用,激活作用的大小顺序依次为Ca²⁺、Ba²⁺、Mg²⁺。第一过渡金属离子中,Mn²⁺、Co²⁺、Ni²⁺对酶有激活作用,而Zn²⁺、Cu²⁺有抑制作用。重金属离子Cd²⁺、Pb²⁺对酶有抑制作用。Ca²⁺激活作用表现为非竞争性激活效应。Cu²⁺抑制作用表现为非竞争性抑制效应。脲对碱性磷酸酶有变性失活作用,按脲浓度可分为低于3 mol/L和高于3 mol/L两种类型。低浓度的脲对白蜡虫碱性磷酸酶的活性抑制的动力学表现为混合型效应。     

9种Na+通道mRNA在5个不同发育阶段大鼠16种组织中表达及变化趋势

电压-门控Na⁺通道由1个可单独发挥作用的α亚单位和2～4个起辅助作用的β亚单位构成,在可兴奋细胞动作电位的产生及传导等过程中起重要作用.采用RT-PCR法对5个不同发育阶段(P1、P9、P40、P80、P120)Wistar大鼠16种不同组织的9种Na⁺通道α亚单位及1种β亚单位的mRNA进行检测发现：同种类型Na⁺通道mRNA在大鼠不同组织中的表达不同,不同类型Na⁺通道mRNA在大鼠同一组织中的表达不同.其中,神经系统和心肌组织中Na⁺通道mRNA的表达最高,随着日龄的增加,Na⁺通道mRNA在不同组织中表达的变化趋势不同.Na⁺通道在全身组织中的广泛分布及随发育周期的不同变化趋势,为离子通道病的研究及治疗提供了理论基础.     

松油烯-４-醇对粘虫幼虫的生物活性

测定了杀虫植物砂地柏Sabina vulgaris Ant.的精油中主杀虫成分-松油烯-4-醇（terpinen 4.01）对粘虫Mythimna separata Walker幼虫的生物活性。结果表明,松油烯- 4-醇对粘虫主要表现为熏蒸作用,对粘虫3龄幼虫24 h的熏蒸LC₅₀为5.3473 μL/L ;还具一定触杀作用,对粘虫4龄幼虫24 h的LD₅₀为147.8 μg/虫。试虫的中毒症状可明显地分为兴奋、痉挛、麻痹和死亡4个阶段,而麻痹的部分试虫有复苏现象。可明显抑制Na⁺ ,K⁺ATP酶的活性,在兴奋期、痉挛期、麻痹期和复苏期,抑制率介于21.28%～34.92% 之间。离体条件下对Na⁺,K⁺ATP酶的I₅₀为133.75 μg·mL^-1;对AChE活性有一定的影响;对酯酶,在兴奋期,酶活力为对照的7.0%,在麻痹期则为对照的1.33倍,而复苏期试虫的酯酶活力与对照相当。     

铝暴露对大鼠海马神经元长时程增强和Na+通道表达的影响

海马神经元长时程增强(LTP) 被认为与学习和记忆的形成有关.Na⁺在诱导 LTP产生的过程中十分重要.实验发现,慢性铝暴露可以影响大鼠海马神经元LTP的产生,随着铝暴露浓度的增加,LTP 的幅值逐渐降低.RT-PCR 法对大鼠海马神经元 9 种类型Na⁺ 通道（即 Nav1.1～Nav1.9）的 mRNA 进行检测发现,除 Nav1.4 和 Nav1.8 Na⁺通道 mRNA 在大鼠海马神经元中未见表达外,慢性染铝组大鼠海马神经元7种Na⁺ 通道 mRNA 表达均明显增高（P<0.05）.蛋白印迹法对一种脑型 Na⁺通道 (Nav 1.2) 蛋白检测证明, Na⁺通道蛋白表达亦明显升高.结果提示,铝进入神经元后,可能通过影响 Na⁺ 通道蛋白的表达而影响了突触后神经细胞的去极化,进而影响了LTP的诱导过程,从而预示铝的暴露可能损害大鼠学习和记忆能力.     

cAMP和cGMP对棉铃虫神经细胞高电压激活钙通道的调节作用

用全细胞膜片钳法研究了cAMP和cGMP对棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera 3龄幼虫胸腹神经节细胞高电压激活钙通道的调节作用。细胞外液中加入腺苷酸环化酶（AC）激活剂福斯克林（forskolin） 0.1 mmol/L,对于Ba²⁺介导的钙通道电流激活电压、峰电压、峰电流变化以及通道激活和电流达到峰值的时间无影响。电极内液中加入1 mmol/L的cGMP则明显抑制峰电流,且抑制作用呈时间依赖性和浓度依赖性,而对激活电压、峰电压无影响。结果提示,棉铃虫神经细胞高电压激活钙通道的活动可能不受细胞内cAMP水平提高的影响,但被cGMP抑制。     

脱氧鬼臼毒素对美洲大蠊的毒力及几种酶系的影响

采用药膜法测试了脱氧鬼臼毒素对美洲大蠊Periplaneta americana初孵若虫的触杀活性,并测定了其对成虫中枢神经系统乙酰胆碱酯酶（AChE）和腺苷三磷酸酶(ATPase)离体活性的影响。结果表明：脱氧鬼臼毒素对美洲大蠊初孵若虫具有较强的毒杀活性,在接触时间24、48、72和96 h 的LC₅₀分别为26.26、4.68、1.51和0.62 μg/cm²;其对AChE没有明显影响; 对Na⁺ -K⁺ -ATPase有明显抑制作用,并存在浓度 效应关系,IC₅₀为44.9 μmol/L; 对Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺-ATPase表现出低剂量激活,高剂量抑制的现象。结果提示美洲大蠊的AChE不是脱氧鬼臼毒素靶标,而ATPase可能是脱氧鬼臼毒素的重要靶标之一。     

星天牛幼虫肠道木聚糖酶的纯化和性质

星天牛Anoplophora chinensis (Frster)幼虫肠道匀浆液经80%丙酮沉淀、Q-Sepharose阴离子交换柱层析、PAGE制备电泳等方法纯化后,获得在SDS-PAGE上呈现单一区带的木聚糖酶。该酶的分子量约25 kD,等电点约4.0,最适温度50℃,最适pH 5.4,pH 3.0～7.8对酶活性的恢复无大的影响, 50℃保温2 h仍有60%酶活性。Hg²⁺、M_nO^-4、变性剂SDS完全抑制该酶活性, Cu²⁺、Mn²⁺、Ag⁺、Zn²⁺、Pb⁺、脲对酶活性有强烈的抑制作用。该酶具有水解纤维素的交叉活性,其K_m值为2.47 mg/mL,V_max为0.6 IU/mL。     

苦皮藤素Ⅳ和Ⅴ混合物对棉铃虫幼虫神经细胞钠通道的影响

杀虫植物苦皮藤Celastrus angulatus的主要活性成分苦皮藤素Ⅳ和Ⅴ处理后昆虫的中毒症状分别表现为麻醉和兴奋,但苦皮藤素Ⅳ对苦皮藤素Ⅴ的毒杀效果具有增效作用,苦皮藤素Ⅴ对苦皮藤素Ⅳ的麻醉作用基本没有影响。应用全细胞膜片钳技术,就苦皮藤素Ⅳ和Ⅴ不同比例（3∶1,1∶1,1∶3）混合物对棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera幼虫离体培养神经细胞钠离子通道的影响进行了比较。结果表明：苦皮藤素Ⅳ和苦皮藤素Ⅴ的不同比例混合物对钠通道（TTX-S）电流作用与二者所占比例有关,苦皮藤素Ⅳ比例大,表现出苦皮藤素Ⅳ对通道的阻滞效应,钠电流被抑制; 苦皮藤素Ⅴ比例大,则表现出对通道的激活,钠电流增大。另外,两者不同比例混合物对钠通道（TTX-S）电流的激活电压无明显影响,但对峰值电压影响显著,可使其向正电位方向移动10～20 mV。这些结果说明苦皮藤素Ⅳ和Ⅴ可能作用于一个相同的钠通道结合位点或别构偶联位点,二者对钠通道的作用是一种拮抗作用。     

Effects of temperature on slow and fast inactivation of rat skeletal muscle Na+ channels

Patch-clampstudies of mammalian skeletal muscleNa⁺ channels are commonly done atsubphysiological temperatures, usually room temperature. However, atsubphysiological temperatures, mostNa⁺ channels are inactivated atthe cell resting potential. This study examined the effects oftemperature on fast and slow inactivation ofNa⁺ channels to determine iftemperature changed the fraction of Na⁺ channels that were excitableat resting potential. The loose patch voltage clamp recordedNa⁺ currents(I_Na) in vitroat 19, 25, 31, and 37°C from the sarcolemma of rat type IIbfast-twitch omohyoid skeletal muscle fibers. Temperature affected thefraction of Na⁺ channels that wereexcitable at the resting potential. At 19°C, only 30% of channelswere excitable at the resting potential. In contrast, at 37°C, 93%of Na⁺ channels were excitable atthe resting potential. Temperature did not alter the resting potentialor the voltage dependencies of activation or fast inactivation.I_Na available atthe resting potential increased with temperature because thesteady-state voltage dependence of slow inactivation shifted in adepolarizing direction with increasing temperature. The membranepotential at which half of the Na⁺channels were in the slow inactivated state was shifted by +16 mV at37°C compared with 19°C. Consequently, the low availability ofexcitable Na⁺ channels atsubphysiological temperatures resulted from channels being in the slow,inactivated state at the resting potential.

     

Potent block of inactivation-deficient Na+ channels by n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids

A voltage-gated, small, persistent Na⁺ current (I_Na) has been shown in mammalian cardiomyocytes. Hypoxia potentiates the persistent I_Na that may cause arrhythmias. In the present study, we investigated the effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on I_Na in HEK-293t cells transfected with an inactivation-deficient mutant (L409C/A410W) of the -subunit (hH1) of human cardiac Na⁺ channels (hNav1.5) plus ₁-subunits. Extracellular application of 5 µM eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; C20:5n-3) significantly inhibited I_Na. The late portion of I_Na (I_{Na late}, measured near the end of each pulse) was almost completely suppressed. I_Na returned to the pretreated level after washout of EPA. The inhibitory effect of EPA on I_Na was concentration dependent, with IC₅₀ values of 4.0 ± 0.4 µM for I_Na peak (I_{Na peak}) and 0.9 ± 0.1 µM for I_{Na late}. EPA shifted the steady-state inactivation of I_{Na peak} by –19 mV in the hyperpolarizing direction. EPA accelerated the process of resting inactivation of the mutant channel and delayed the recovery of the mutated Na⁺ channel from resting inactivation. Other polyunsaturated fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid, linolenic acid, arachidonic acid, and linoleic acid, all at 5 µM concentration, also significantly inhibited I_Na. In contrast, the monounsaturated fatty acid oleic acid or the saturated fatty acids stearic acid and palmitic acid at 5 µM concentration had no effect on I_Na. Our data demonstrate that the double mutations at the 409 and 410 sites in the D1–S6 region of hH1 induce inactivation-deficient I_Na and that n-3 PUFAs inhibit mutant I_Na. human cardiac sodium channel     

Effect of chronically elevated CO2 on CA1 neuronal excitability

To study the effect of chronically elevated CO₂ on the excitability and function of neurons, we exposed mice to 7.5–8% CO₂ for 2 wk (starting at 2 days of age) and examined the properties of freshly dissociated hippocampal neurons. Neurons from control mice (CON) and from mice exposed to chronically elevated CO₂ had similar resting membrane potentials and input resistances. CO₂-exposed neurons, however, had a lower rheobase and a higher Na⁺ current density (580 ± 73 pA/pF; n = 27 neurons studied) than did CON neurons (280 ± 51 pA/pF, n = 34; P < 0.01). In addition, the conductance-voltage curve was shifted in a more negative direction in CO₂-exposed than in CON neurons (midpoint of the curve was –46 ± 3 mV for CO₂ exposed and –34 ± 3 mV for CON, P < 0.01), while the steady-state inactivation curve was shifted in a more positive direction in CO₂-exposed than in CON neurons (midpoint of the curve was –59 ± 2 mV for CO₂ exposed and –68 ± 3 mV for CON, P < 0.01). The time constant for deactivation at –100 mV was much smaller in CO₂-exposed than in CON neurons (0.8 ± 0.1 ms for CO₂ exposed and 1.9 ± 0.3 ms for CON, P < 0.01). Immunoblotting for Na⁺ channel proteins (subtypes I, II, and III) was performed on the hippocampus. Our data indicate that Na⁺ channel subtype I, rather than subtype II or III, was significantly increased (43%, n = 4; P < 0.05) in the hippocampi of CO₂-exposed mice. We conclude that in mice exposed to elevated CO₂, 1) increased neuronal excitability is due to alterations in Na⁺ current and Na⁺ channel characteristics, and 2) the upregulation of Na⁺ channel subtype I contributes, at least in part, to the increase in Na⁺ current density. sodium ion channels; oxygen deprivation     

Characterization of the rat Na+/nucleoside cotransporter 2 and transport of nucleoside-derived drugs using electrophysiological methods

The Na⁺-dependent nucleoside transporter 2 (CNT2) mediates active transport of purine nucleosides and uridine as well as therapeutic nucleoside analogs. We used the two-electrode voltage-clamp technique to investigate rat CNT2 (rCNT2) transport mechanism and study the interaction of nucleoside-derived drugs with the transporter expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. The kinetic parameters for sodium, natural nucleosides, and nucleoside derivatives were obtained as a function of membrane potential. For natural substrates, apparent affinity (K_0.5) was in the low micromolar range (12–34) and was voltage independent for hyperpolarizing membrane potentials, whereas maximal current (I_max) was voltage dependent. Uridine and 2'-deoxyuridine analogs modified at the 5-position were substrates of rCNT2. Lack of the 2'-hydroxyl group decreased affinity but increased I_max. Increase in the size and decrease in the electronegativity of the residue at the 5-position affected the interaction with the transporter by decreasing both affinity and I_max. Fludarabine and formycin B were also transported with higher I_max than uridine and moderate affinity (102 ± 10 and 66 ± 6 µM, respectively). Analysis of the pre-steady-state currents revealed a half-maximal activation voltage of about –39 mV and a valence of about –0.8. K_0.5 for Na⁺ was 2.3 mM at –50 mV and decreased at hyperpolarizing membrane potentials. The Hill coefficient was 1 at all voltages. Direct measurements of radiolabeled nucleoside fluxes with the charge associated showed a ratio of two positive inward charges per nucleoside, suggesting a stoichiometry of two Na⁺ per nucleoside. This discrepancy in the number of Na⁺ molecules that bind rCNT2 may indicate a low degree of cooperativity between the Na⁺ binding sites. two-electrode voltage clamp; concentrative nucleoside transport; presteady-state currents     

Pertussis toxin modulation of sodium channels in the central neurons of cyhalothrin-resistant and cyhalothrin-susceptible cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera

Pertussis toxin （FIX） inhibits the activation of the α-subunit of the inhibitory heterotrimeric G-proteins （Cαi/o） and modulates voltage-gated sodium channels, which may be one of the primary targets of pyrethroids. To investigate the potential mechanisms of agricultural pests resistance to pyrethroid insecticides, we examined the modulations by PTX on sodium channels in the central neurons of the 3rd-4th instar larvae of cyhalothrin-resistant （Cy-R） and cyhaiothrin-susceptible （Cy-S） Helicoverpa armigera by the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. The isolated neurons were cultured for 12-16 h in an improved L15 insect culture medium with or without PTX （400 ng/mL）. The results showed that both the Cy-R and Cy-S sodium channels exhibited fast kinetics and tetrodotoxin （TTX） sensitivity. The Cy-R sodium channels exhibited not only altered gating properties, including a 8.88-mV right shift in voltage-dependent activation （V0.5act） and a 6.54-mV right shift in voltage-dependent inactivation （V0.5inact）, but also a reduced peak in sodium channel density （Ⅰdensity） （55.2% of that in Cy-S neurons）. Cy-R sodium channels also showed low excitability, as evidenced by right shift of activation potential （Ⅴacti） by 5-10 mV and peak potential （Ⅴpcak） by 20 mV. FIX exerted significant effects on Cy-S sodium channels, reducing sodium channel density by 70.04%, right shifting V0.5act by 14.41 mV and V0.5inact by 9. 38 mV. It did not cause any significant changes of the parameters mentioned above in the Cy-R sodium channels. The activation time （Tpeak） from latency to peak at peak voltage and the fast inactivation time constant （τinact） in both Cy-S and Cy-R neurons were not affected. The results suggest that cotton bollworm resistant to pyrethroid insecticides involves not only mutations and allosteric alterations of voltage-gated sodium channels, but also might implicate perturbation of PTX-sensitive Gαi/o-COupled signaling Wansduction pathways.     

苦参碱对棉铃虫幼虫神经细胞钠通道的影响

用全细胞膜片钳技术研究了生物碱类植物杀虫剂苦参碱对棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera幼虫离体培养中枢神经细胞钠离子通道门控过程的影响。结果表明： 苦参碱对棉铃虫幼虫神经细胞所表达的TTX （tetradotoxin, 河豚毒素)敏感钠通道具有浓度依赖性阻滞作用,1,10和100 μmol/L的苦参碱作用5 min后,分别使钠电流峰值较给药前下降（12.49±1.67）%、（18.79±2.16）%和（43.15±8.17）% (n=8, P<0.05)。苦参碱使钠电流的电流 电压关系曲线上移,但并不改变其激活电压、峰电压和电流电压关系曲线的形状。苦参碱对钠通道的阻滞作用可能是其具有某些毒理效应的离子基础。     

CO2 chemosensitivity in Helix aspersa: three potassium currents mediate pH-sensitive neuronal spike timing

Elevated levels of carbon dioxide increase lung ventilation in Helix aspersa. The hypercapnic response originates from a discrete respiratory chemosensory region in the dorsal subesophageal ganglia that contains CO₂-sensitive neurons. We tested the hypothesis that pH-dependent inhibition of potassium channels in neurons in this region mediated the chemosensory response to CO₂. Cells isolated from the dorsal subesophageal ganglia retained CO₂ chemosensitivity and exhibited membrane depolarization and/or an increase in input resistance during an acid challenge. Isolated somata expressed two voltage-dependent potassium channels, an A-type and a delayed-rectifier-type channel (I_KA and I_KDR). Both conductances were inhibited during hypercapnia. The pattern of voltage dependence indicated that I_KA was affected by extracellular or intracellular pH, but the activity of I_KDR was modulated by extracellular pH only. Application of inhibitors of either channel mimicked many of the effects of acidification in isolated cells and neurons in situ. We also detected evidence of a pH-sensitive calcium-activated potassium channel (I_KCa) in neurons in situ. The results of these studies support the hypothesis that I_KA initiates the chemosensory response, and I_KDR and I_KCa prolong the period of activation of CO₂-sensitive neurons. Thus multiple potassium channels are inhibited by acidosis, and the combined effect of pH-dependent inhibition of these channels enhances neuronal excitability and mediates CO₂ chemosensory responses in H. aspersa. We did not find a single "chemosensory channel," and the chemosensitive channels that we did find were not unique in any way that we could detect. The protein "machinery" of CO₂ chemosensitivity is probably widespread among neurons, and the selection process whereby a neuron acts or does not act as a respiratory CO₂ chemosensor probably depends on the resting membrane potential and synaptic connectivity. carbon dioxide     

A computational analysis of central CO2 chemosensitivity in Helix aspersa

We created a single-compartment computer model of a CO₂ chemosensory neuron using differential equations adapted from the Hodgkin-Huxley model and measurements of currents in CO₂ chemosensory neurons from Helix aspersa. We incorporated into the model two inward currents, a sodium current and a calcium current, three outward potassium currents, an A-type current (I_KA), a delayed rectifier current (I_KDR), a calcium-activated potassium current (I_KCa), and a proton conductance found in invertebrate cells. All of the potassium channels were inhibited by reduced pH. We also included the pH regulatory process to mimic the effect of the sodium-hydrogen exchanger (NHE) described in these cells during hypercapnic stimulation. The model displayed chemosensory behavior (increased spike frequency during acid stimulation), and all three potassium channels participated in the chemosensory response and shaped the temporal characteristics of the response to acid stimulation. pH-dependent inhibition of I_KA initiated the response to CO₂, but hypercapnic inhibition of I_KDR and I_KCa affected the duration of the excitatory response to hypercapnia. The presence or absence of NHE activity altered the chemosensory response over time and demonstrated the inadvisability of effective intracellular pH (pH_i) regulation in cells designed to act as chemostats for acid-base regulation. The results of the model indicate that multiple channels contribute to CO₂ chemosensitivity, but the primary sensor is probably I_KA. pH_i may be a sufficient chemosensory stimulus, but it may not be a necessary stimulus: either pH_i or extracellular pH can be an effective stimuli if chemosensory neurons express appropriate pH-sensitive channels. The lack of pH_i regulation is a key feature determining the neuronal activity of chemosensory cells over time, and the balanced lack of pH_i regulation during hypercapnia probably depends on intracellular activation of pH_i regulation but extracellular inhibition of pH_i regulation. These general principles are applicable to all CO₂ chemosensory cells in vertebrate and invertebrate neurons. hypercapnia; potassium channels; computer modeling; central chemoreceptors     

Calcium influx through If channels in rat ventricular myocytes

The hyperpolarization-activated, cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels, or cardiac (I_f)/neuronal (I_h) time- and voltage-dependent inward cation current channels, are conventionally considered as monovalent-selective channels. Recently we discovered that calcium ions can permeate through HCN4 and I_h channels in neurons. This raises the possibility of Ca²⁺ permeation in I_f, the I_h counterpart in cardiac myocytes, because of their structural homology. We performed simultaneous measurement of fura-2 Ca²⁺ signals and whole cell currents produced by HCN2 and HCN4 channels (the 2 cardiac isoforms present in ventricles) expressed in HEK293 cells and by I_f in rat ventricular myocytes. We observed Ca²⁺ influx when HCN/I_f channels were activated. Ca²⁺ influx was increased with stronger hyperpolarization or longer pulse duration. Cesium, an I_f channel blocker, inhibited I_f and Ca²⁺ influx at the same time. Quantitative analysis revealed that Ca²⁺ flux contributed to 0.5% of current produced by the HCN2 channel or I_f. The associated increase in Ca²⁺ influx was also observed in spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) myocytes in which I_f current density is higher than that of normotensive rat ventricle. In the absence of EGTA (a Ca²⁺ chelator), preactivation of I_f channels significantly reduced the action potential duration, and the effect was blocked by another selective I_f channel blocker, ZD-7288. In the presence of EGTA, however, preactivation of I_f channels had no effects on action potential duration. Our data extend our previous discovery of Ca²⁺ influx in I_h channels in neurons to I_f channels in cardiac myocytes. calcium ion flux; hyperpolarization-activated, cyclic nucleotide-gated/cardiac time- and volume-dependent cation current channels