External monovalent cations that impede the closing of K channels

We have examined the effects of a variety of monovalent cations on K channel gating in squid giant axons. The addition of the permeant cations K, Rb, or Cs to the external medium decreases the channel closing rate and causes a negative shift of the conductance-voltage relationship. Both of these effects are larger in Rb than in K. The opening kinetics of the K channel are, on the other hand, unaffected by these monovalent cations. Other permeant species, like NH4 and Tl, slightly increase the closing rate, whereas the relatively impermeant cations Na, Li, and Tris have little or no effect on K channel gating. The permeant cations have different effects on the reversal potential and the shape of the instantaneous current-voltage relationship. These effects give information about entry and binding of the cations in K channels. Rb, for example, enters the pore readily (large shift of the reversal potential), but binds tightly to the channel interior, inhibiting current flow. We find a correlation between the occupancy of the channel by a monovalent cation and the closing rate, and conclude that the presence of a monovalent cation in the pore inhibits channel closing, and thereby causes a leftward shift in the activation-voltage curve. In causing these effects, the cations appear to bind near the inner surface of the membrane.     

Ion effects on gating of the Ca(2+)-activated K+ channel correlate with occupancy of the pore.

We studied the effects of permeant ions on the gating of the large conductance Ca(2+)-activated K+ channel from rat skeletal muscle. Rb+ blockade of inward K+ current caused an increase in the open probability as though Rb+ occupancy of the pore interferes with channel closing. In support of this hypothesis, we directly measured the occupancy of the pore by the impermeant ion Cs+ and found that it strongly correlates with its effect on gating. This is consistent with the "foot-in-the-door" model of gating, which states that channels cannot close with an ion in the pore. However, because Rb+ and Cs+ not only slow the closing rate (as predicted by the model), but also speed the opening rate, our results are more consistent with a modified version of the model in which the channel can indeed close while occupied, but the occupancy destabilizes the closed state. Increasing the occupancy of the pore by the addition of other permeant (K+ and Tl+) and impermeant (tetraethylammonium) ions did not affect the open probability. To account for this disparity, we used a two-site permeation model in which only one of the sites influenced gating. Occupancy of this "gating site" interferes with channel closing and hastens opening. Ions that directly or indirectly increase the occupancy of this site will increase the open probability.     

Divalent cations and the activation kinetics of potassium channels in squid giant axons

The effects of external Zn+2 and other divalent cations on K channels in squid giant axons were studied. At low concentration (2 mM) Zn+2 slows opening kinetics without affecting closing kinetics. Higher concentrations (5-40 mM) progressively slow opening and speed channel closing to a lesser degree. In terms of "shifts," opening kinetics are strongly shifted to the right on the voltage axis, and off kinetics much less so. The shift of the conductance-voltage relation along the axis is intermediate. Zinc's kinetic effects show little sign of saturation at the highest concentration attainable. Zn does not alter the shape of the instantaneous current-voltage relation of open channels. Some other divalent cations have effects similar to Zn+2, Hg2+ being the most potent and Ca+2 the least. After treatment with Hg+2, which is irreversible, Zn+2 still slows opening kinetics, which suggests that each channel has at least two sites for divalent cation action. The results are not compatible with a simple theory of fixed, uniform surface charges. They suggest that external cations interact directly with a negatively charged element of the gating apparatus that moves inward from the membrane's outer surface during activation. Examination of normal kinetics shows that there is a slow step somewhere in the chain leading to channel opening. But the slowest step must not be the last one.     

Kinetic and thermodynamic analysis of the interaction of cations with dialkylglycine decarboxylase

Dialkylglycine decarboxylase (DGD) is a tetrameric pyridoxal phosphate (PLP)-dependent enzyme that catalyzes both decarboxylation and transamination in its normal catalytic cycle. Its activity is dependent on cations. Metal-free DGD and DGD complexes with seven monovalent cations (Li(+), Na(+), K(+), Rb(+), Cs(+), NH(4)(+), and Tl(+)) and three divalent cations (Mg(2+), Ca(2+), and Ba(2+)) have been studied. The catalytic rate constants for cation-bound enzyme (ck(cat) and ck(cat)/bK(AIB)) are cation-size-dependent, K(+) being the monovalent cation with the optimal size for catalytic activity. The divalent alkaline earth cations (Mg(2+), Ca(2+), and Ba(2+)) all give approximately 10-fold lower activity compared to monovalent alkali cations of similar ionic radius. The Michaelis constant for aminoisobutyrate (AIB) binding to DGD-PLP complexes with cations (bK(AIB)) varies with ionic radius. The larger cations (K(+), Rb(+), Cs(+), NH(4)(+), and Tl(+)) give smaller bK(AIB) ( approximately 4 mM), while smaller cations (Li(+), Na(+)) give larger values (approximately 10 mM). Cation size and charge dependence is also found with the dissociation constant for PLP binding to DGD-cation complexes (aK(PLP)). K(+) and Rb(+) possess the optimal ionic radius, giving the lowest values of aK(PLP). The divalent alkaline earth cations give aK(PLP) values approximately 10-fold higher than alkali cations of similar ionic radius. The cation dissociation constant for DGD-PLP-AIB-cation complexes (betaK(M)z+) was determined and also shown to be cation-size-dependent, K(+) and Rb(+) yielding the lowest values. The kinetics of PLP association and dissociation from metal-free DGD and its complexes with cations (Na(+), K(+), and Ba(2+)) were analyzed. All three cations tested increase PLP association and decrease PLP dissociation rate constants. Kinetic studies of cation binding show saturation kinetics for the association reaction. The half-life for association with saturating Rb(+) is approximately 24 s, while the half-life for dissociation of Rb(+) from the DGD-PLP-AIB-Rb(+) complex is approximately 12 min.     

Conductance and permeation of monovalent cations through depletion-activated Ca2+ channels (ICRAC) in Jurkat T cells.

We studied monovalent permeability of Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ channels (ICRAC) in Jurkat T lymphocytes following depletion of calcium stores. When external free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]o) was reduced to micromolar levels in the absence of Mg2+, the inward current transiently decreased and then increased approximately sixfold, accompanied by visibly enhanced current noise. The monovalent currents showed a characteristically slow deactivation (tau = 3.8 and 21.6 s). The extent of Na+ current deactivation correlated with the instantaneous Ca2+ current upon readdition of [Ca2+]o. No conductance increase was seen when [Ca2+]o was reduced before activation of ICRAC. With Na+ outside and Cs+ inside, the current rectified inwardly without apparent reversal below 40 mV. The sequence of conductance determined from the inward current at -80 mV was Na+ > Li+ = K+ > Rb+ >> Cs+. Unitary inward conductance of the Na+ current was 2.6 pS, estimated from the ratios delta sigma2/delta Imean at different voltages. External Ca2+ blocked the Na+ current reversibly with an IC50 value of 4 microM. Na+ currents were also blocked by 3 mM Mg2+ or 10 microM La3+. We conclude that ICRAC channels become permeable to monovalent cations at low levels of external divalent ions. In contrast to voltage-activated Ca2+ channels, the monovalent conductance is highly selective for Na+ over Cs+. Na+ currents through ICRAC channels provide a means to study channel characteristics in an amplified current model.     

Ca(2+)- and voltage-dependent gating of Ca(2+)- and ATP-sensitive cationic channels in brain capillary endothelium

Biophysical properties of the Ca(2+)-activated nonselective cation channel expressed in brain capillaries were studied in inside-out patches from primary cultures of rat brain microvascular endothelial cells. At -40 mV membrane potential, open probability (P(o)) was activated by cytosolic [Ca(2+)] > 1 micro M and was half-maximal at approximately 20 micro M. Increasing [Ca(2+)] stimulated opening rate with little effect on closing rate. At constant [Ca(2+)], P(o) was voltage-dependent, and effective gating charge corresponded to 0.6 +/- 0.1 unitary charges. Depolarization accelerated opening and slowed closing, thereby increasing apparent affinity for Ca(2+). Within approximately 1 min of excision, P(o) declined to a lower steady state with decreased sensitivity toward activating Ca(2+) when studied at a fixed voltage, and toward activating voltage when studied at a fixed [Ca(2+)]. Deactivated channels opened approximately 5-fold slower and closed approximately 10-fold faster. The sulfhydryl-reducing agent dithiotreitol (1 mM) completely reversed acceleration of closing rate but failed to recover opening rate. Single-channel gating was complex; distributions of open and closed dwell times contained at least four and five exponential components, respectively. The longest component of the closed-time distribution was markedly sensitive to both [Ca(2+)] and voltage. We conclude that the biophysical properties of gating of this channel are remarkably similar to those of large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels.     

Divalent ion trapping inside potassium channels of human T lymphocytes

Using the patch-clamp whole-cell recording technique, we investigated the influence of external Ca2+, Ba2+, K+, Rb+, and internal Ca2+ on the rate of K+ channel inactivation in the human T lymphocyte-derived cell line, Jurkat E6-1. Raising external Ca2+ or Ba2+, or reducing external K+, accelerated the rate of the K+ current decay during a depolarizing voltage pulse. External Ba2+ also produced a use-dependent block of the K+ channels by entering the open channel and becoming trapped inside. Raising internal Ca2+ accelerated inactivation at lower concentrations than external Ca2+, but increasing the Ca2+ buffering with BAPTA did not affect inactivation. Raising [K+]o or adding Rb+ slowed inactivation by competing with divalent ions. External Rb+ also produced a use-dependent removal of block of K+ channels loaded with Ba2+ or Ca2+. From the removal of this block we found that under normal conditions approximately 25% of the channels were loaded with Ca2+, whereas under conditions with 10 microM internal Ca2+ the proportion of channels loaded with Ca2+ increased to approximately 50%. Removing all the divalent cations from the external and internal solution resulted in the induction of a non-selective, voltage-independent conductance. We conclude that Ca2+ ions from the outside or the inside can bind to a site at the K+ channel and thereby block the channel or accelerate inactivation.     

Relationship between pore occupancy and gating in BK potassium channels

Permeant ions can have significant effects on ion channel conformational changes. To further understand the relationship between ion occupancy and gating conformational changes, we have studied macroscopic and single-channel gating of BK potassium channels with different permeant monovalent cations. While the slopes of the conductance-voltage curve were reduced with respect to potassium for all permeant ions, BK channels required stronger depolarization to open only when thallium was the permeant ion. Thallium also slowed the activation and deactivation kinetics. Both the change in kinetics and the shift in the GV curve were dependent on the thallium passing through the permeation pathway, as well as on the concentration of thallium. There was a decrease in the mean open time and an increase in the number of short flicker closing events with thallium as the permeating ion. Mean closed durations were unaffected. Application of previously established allosteric gating models indicated that thallium specifically alters the opening and closing transition of the channel and does not alter the calcium activation or voltage activation pathways. Addition of a closed flicker state into the allosteric model can account for the effect of thallium on gating. Consideration of the thallium concentration dependence of the gating effects suggests that the flicker state may correspond to the collapsed selectivity filter seen in crystal structures of the KcsA potassium channel under the condition of low permeant ion concentration.     

Regulation of CRAC channel activity by recruitment of silent channels to a high open-probability gating mode

CRAC (calcium release-activated Ca(2+)) channels attain an extremely high selectivity for Ca(2+) from the blockade of monovalent cation permeation by Ca(2+) within the pore. In this study we have exploited the blockade by Ca(2+) to examine the size of the CRAC channel pore, its unitary conductance for monovalent cations, and channel gating properties. The permeation of a series of methylammonium compounds under divalent cation-free conditions indicates a minimum pore diameter of 3.9 A. Extracellular Ca(2+) blocks monovalent flux in a manner consistent with a single intrapore site having an effective K(i) of 20 microM at -110 mV. Block increases with hyperpolarization, but declines below -100 mV, most likely due to permeation of Ca(2+). Analysis of monovalent current noise induced by increasing levels of block by extracellular Ca(2+) indicates an open probability (P(o)) of approximately 0.8. By extrapolating the variance/mean current ratio to the condition of full blockade (P(o) = 0), we estimate a unitary conductance of approximately 0.7 pS for Na(+), or three to fourfold higher than previous estimates. Removal of extracellular Ca(2+) causes the monovalent current to decline over tens of seconds, a process termed depotentiation. The declining current appears to result from a reduction in the number of active channels without a change in their high open probability. Similarly, low concentrations of 2-APB that enhance I(CRAC) increase the number of active channels while open probability remains constant. We conclude that the slow regulation of whole-cell CRAC current by store depletion, extracellular Ca(2+), and 2-APB involves the stepwise recruitment of silent channels to a high open-probability gating mode.     

Voltage-dependent slowing of K channel closing kinetics by Rb+

We have studied the effect of Rb+ on K channel closing kinetics in toadfish pancreatic islet cells. These channels are voltage dependent, activating at voltages positive to -10 mV. The channels also inactivate upon prolonged depolarizations, and the inactivation time course is best fit by the sum of two exponentials. Instantaneous current-voltage relationships show that external Rb+ enters the channel as easily as K+, but carries less current. In the voltage range from -140 to -50 mV, the closing time course of the channels can be fit with a single exponential. When Rb+ is present in the external solution the channels close more slowly. The magnitude of this Rb+ effect is voltage dependent, decreasing at more negative voltages. Similarly, when the internal solution contains Rb+ instead of K+ the closing time constants are increased. The effect of internal Rb+ is also voltage dependent; at voltages positive to -80 mV the closing time constant in internal Rb+ is slower than in K+, whereas at more negative voltages the difference is negligible. With internal Rb+, the relationship between the closing time constant and voltage is best fit with two exponential components, suggesting the presence of two distinct voltage-dependent processes. The results are discussed in terms of a model of the K channel with two internal binding sites, and we conclude that Rb+ produces its effects on channel gating by binding to a site in the pore.     

Permeation of internal and external monovalent cations through the catfish cone photoreceptor cGMP-gated channel

The permeation of monovalent cations through the cGMP-gated channel of catfish cone outer segments was examined by measuring permeability and conductance ratios under biionic conditions. For monovalent cations presented on the cytoplasmic side of the channel, the permeability ratios with respect to extracellular Na followed the sequence NH4 > K > Li > Rb = Na > Cs while the conductance ratios at +50 mV followed the sequence Na approximately NH4 > K > Rb > Li = Cs. These patterns are broadly similar to the amphibian rod channel. The symmetry of the channel was tested by presenting the test ion on the extracellular side and using Na as the common reference ion on the cytoplasmic side. Under these biionic conditions, the permeability ratios with respect to Na at the intracellular side followed the sequence NH4 > Li > K > Na > Rb > Cs while the conductance ratios at +50 mV followed the sequence NH4 > K approximately Na > Rb > Li > Cs. Thus, the channel is asymmetric with respect to external and internal cations. Under symmetrical 120 mM ionic conditions, the single-channel conductance at +50 mV ranged from 58 pS in NH4 to 15 pS for Cs and was in the order NH4 > Na > K > Rb > Cs. Unexpectedly, the single-channel current-voltage relation showed sufficient outward rectification to account for the rectification observed in multichannel patches without invoking voltage dependence in gating. The concentration dependence of the reversal potential for K showed that chloride was impermeant. Anomalous mole fraction behavior was not observed, nor, over a limited concentration range, were multiple dissociation constants. An Eyring rate theory model with a single binding site was sufficient to explain these observations.     

Permeation properties of a Ca(2+)-blockable monovalent cation channel in the ectoderm of the chick embryo: pore size and multioccupancy probed with organic cations and Ca2+

A Ca(2+)-blockable monovalent cation channel is present in the apical membrane of the ectoderm of the gastrulating chick embryo. We used the patch clamp technique to study several single-channel permeation properties of this channel. In symmetrical conditions without Ca2+, the Na+ current carried by the channel rectifies inwardly. The channel has an apparent dissociation constant for extracellular Na+ of 115 mM at 0 mV and a low density of negative surface charge (-0.03 e/nm2) at its extracellular entrance. The minimal pore diameter is approximately 5.8 A, as calculated from the relative permeabilities of 10 small organic cations. Extracellular application of six large organic cations decreased the inward Na+ current in a voltage-dependent manner, which strongly suggests an intrachannel block. The presence of at least two ion binding sites inside the pore is inferred from the Na+ dependence of the block by the organic cations. This hypothesis is strengthened by the fact that the extracellular Ca2+ block is also modified by the Na+ concentration. In particular, the rise of the unblocking rate with increased Na+ concentrations clearly suggests the presence of an interaction between Ca2+ and Na+ inside the channel. A low probability of double occupancy at physiological ionic conditions is implied from the absence of an anomalous mole fraction effect with mixtures of extracellular Li+ and K+. Finally, the absence of inward current at very strong hyperpolarizations and in the presence of 10 mM extracellular Ca2+ demonstrates the absence of significant Ca2+ current through this channel. It is argued that this embryonic epithelial Ca(2+)-blockable monovalent cation channel is related to both L-type Ca2+ channel and cyclic nucleotide-gated channels.     

Interaction of valinomycin and monovalent cations with the (Ca2+,Mg2+)-ATPase of skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum

The interactions of monovalent cations and of the K+-specific ionophore, valinomycin, with the Ca2+-ATPase of skeletal muscle of sarcoplasmic reticulum have been studied in the absence of cation gradients by their effects on enzyme turnover and on the ATP plus Ca2+-dependent enhanced fluorescence of the ATP analogue, 2',3'-O-(2,4,6-trinitrocyclohexyldienylidine)-adenosine 5'-triphosphate (TNP-ATP) (Watanabe, T., and Inesi, G. (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257, 11510-11516). Monovalent cations decreased turnover-dependent TNP-ATP fluorescence in the series K+ greater than Rb+ approximately equal to Cs+ greater than Na+ greater than Li+ (K0.5 = 49, 73, 75, 94, and 246 mM, respectively), consistent with the known specificity of the monovalent cation binding site that stimulates turnover and E-P hydrolysis. Valinomycin (200 nmol/mg), in the absence of monovalent cations, decreased ATPase activity by 30% and abolished the stimulatory effects of 150 mM KCl or NaCl on turnover. The ionophore alone enhanced TNP-ATP fluorescence by 20% and altered the specificity and affinity of the site that inhibited TNP-ATP fluorescence to Cs+ greater than Rb+ greater than K+ approximately equal to Na+ greater than Li+ (K0.5 = 79, 111, 134, 136, and 270 mM, respectively), which follows the Hofmeister series for effectiveness of monovalent lyotropic cations. TNP-ATP binding was not affected by either monovalent cations or valinomycin. Inhibition of turnover-dependent TNP-ATP fluorescence appears to be a useful parameter for monitoring monovalent cation binding to the Ca2+-ATPase. It is concluded that the ionophore interacts directly with the Ca2+-ATPase, independent of its K+ conductance effects on the lipid bilayer, and modifies the affinity and specificity of the monovalent cation site, either by direct interaction or by the formation of a valinomycin-monovalent cation-enzyme complex.     

Origin of the potassium and voltage dependence of the cardiac inwardly rectifying K-current (IK1).

Using various voltage clamp protocols, we have examined the activation and deactivation kinetics of IK1 recorded in dissociated myocytes obtained from canine purkinje fibers. Exponential current relaxations following step changes of the membrane potential were characterized at several different K levels (5, 12, 42, and 82 mM) and several voltages (K reversal potential +/- 40 mV). We have interpreted our data according to a K-activated, K-channel model of IK1 gating. Our data suggests that at least two binding sites for extracellular K must be occupied before the channel opens and occupancy of about three more higher affinity sites for K on the open channel will slow the closing of that channel. In our model, the voltage dependency of gating arises from a combination of three voltage dependent steps: (a) isomerization between open and closed states, (b) binding of K, and (c) occupancy of the channel by internal Mg. Lowering internal K to 40 mM causes major changes in the voltage and K dependence of IK1 gating. However, these changes could be accounted for in our model by relatively small (approximately 20 to 30 mV) shifts in the voltage dependence of several of the steps that govern gating. Our data further suggest that there is an interaction between both extracellular and intracellular K levels and the ability of intracellular Mg to block the IK1 channel.     

Ion permeation and block of M-type and delayed rectifier potassium channels. Whole-cell recordings from bullfrog sympathetic neurons

Ion permeation and conduction were studied using whole-cell recordings of the M-current (I(M)) and delayed rectifier (IDR), two K+ currents that differ greatly in kinetics and modulation. Currents were recorded from isolated bullfrog sympathetic neurons with 88 mM [K+]i and various external cations. Selectivity for extracellular monovalent cations was assessed from permeability ratios calculated from reversal potentials and from chord conductances for inward current. PRb/PK was near 1.0 for both channels, and GRb/GK was 0.87 +/- 0.01 for IDR but only 0.35 +/- 0.01 for I(M) (15 mM [Rb+]o or [K+]o). The permeability sequences were generally similar for I(M) and IDR: K+ approximately Rb+ > NH4+ > Cs+, with no measurable permeability to Li+ or CH3NH3+. However, Na+ carried detectable inward current for IDR but not I(M). Nao+ also blocked inward K+ current for IDR (but not IM), at an apparent electrical distance (delta) approximately 0.4, with extrapolated dissociation constant (KD) approximately 1 M at 0 mV. Much of the instantaneous rectification of IDR in physiologic ionic conditions resulted from block by Nao+. Extracellular Cs+ carried detectable inward current for both channel types, and blocked I(M) with higher affinity (KD = 97 mM at 0 mV for I(M), KD) approximately 0.2 M at 0 mV for IDR), with delta approximately 0.9 for both. IDR showed several characteristics reflecting a multi-ion pore, including a small anomalous mole fraction effect for PRb/PK, concentration-dependent GRb/GK, and concentration- dependent apparent KD's and delta's for block by Nao+ and Cso+. I(M) showed no clear evidence of multi-ion pore behavior. For I(M), a two- barrier one-site model could describe permeation of K+ and Rb+ and block by Cso+, whereas for IDR even a three-barrier, two-site model was not fully adequate.     

Properties of calcium and potassium currents of clonal adrenocortical cells

The ionic currents of clonal Y-1 adrenocortical cells were studied using the whole-cell variant of the patch-clamp technique. These cells had two major current components: a large outward current carried by K ions, and a small inward Ca current. The Ca current depended on the activity of two populations of Ca channels, slow (SD) and fast (FD) deactivating, that could be separated by their different closing time constants (at -80 mV, SD, 3.8 ms, and FD, 0.13 ms). These two kinds of channels also differed in (a) activation threshold (SD, approximately -50 mV; FD, approximately -20 mV), (b) half-maximal activation (SD, between -15 and -10 mV; FD between +10 and +15 mV), and (c) inactivation time course (SD, fast; FD, slow). The total amplitude of the Ca current and the proportion of SD and FD channels varied from cell to cell. The amplitude of the K current was strongly dependent on the internal [Ca2+] and was almost abolished when internal [Ca2+] was less than 0.001 microM. The K current appeared to be independent, or only slightly dependent, of Ca influx. With an internal [Ca2+] of 0.1 microM, the activation threshold was -20 mV, and at +40 mV the half-time of activation was 9 ms. With 73 mM external K the closing time constant at -70 mV was approximately 3 ms. The outward current was also modulated by internal pH and Mg. At a constant pCa gamma a decrease of pH reduced the current amplitude, whereas the activation kinetics were not much altered. Removal of internal Mg produced a drastic decrease in the amplitude of the Ca-activated K current. It was also found that with internal [Ca2+] over 0.1 microM the K current underwent a time-dependent transformation characterized by a large increase in amplitude and in activation kinetics.     

Depolarization-Activated K+ Channel in Chara Droplets

A novel potassium channel was characterized in the droplet membrane of Chara gymnophylla. This channel has a conductance of about 90 pS (in symmetrical 0.15 M KCl), which is lower compared to the 170-pS K+ channel predominant in this preparation. In contrast to the large conductance K+ channel, the novel channel opened with a delay at depolarization and closed at hyperpolarization and did not require cytosolic Ca2+ for its opening. It also showed comparatively weak selectivity for K+ over other monovalent cations, although its cation to anion selectivity was high. Externally or internally applied Cs+ blocked the channel in a voltage-dependent manner, similarly to the 170-pS channel. The sensitivity of the 90-pS channel to external tetraethylammonium chloride (half-blocking concentration approximately 1.5 mM) was 20-fold higher compared to the large conductance channel. With respect to its voltage-gating kinetics, the 90-pS channel was identified as a "slow delayed rectifier."     

Cation-selective channels in amphibian epithelia: electrophysiological properties and activation

1. Na+ as well as Li+ move across the apical membrane through amiloride-sensitive ionic channels. 2. K+ movements across the apical membrane occur through Ba2+- and Cs+-sensitive channels which do not allow the passage of Na+ or Li+. 3. A third pathway in the apical membrane is permeable for Na+, K+, Cs+, Rb+, NH+4 and Ti+. The currents carried by these monovalent cations are blocked by Ca2+ and divalent cations as well as La3+. 4. In the urinary bladder, the Ca2+-sensitive currents are stimulated by oxytocin, activators of cytosolic cAMP and cAMP analogues. Also the oxytocin activated currents are blocked by divalent cations and La3+. 5. Nanomolar concentrations of mucosal Ag+ activate the third channel and open the pathway for movements of Ca2+, Ba2+ and Mg2+, which are known to permeate through Ca2+ channels in excitable tissues.