Single channel measurements demonstrate the voltage dependence of permeation through N-type and L-type CaV channels.

The delivery of Ca2+ into cells by CaV channels provides the trigger for many cellular actions, such as cardiac muscle contraction and neurotransmitter release. Thus, a full understanding of Ca2+ permeation through these channels is critical. Using whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings, we recently demonstrated that voltage modulates the apparent affinity of N-type (CaV2.2) channels for permeating Ca2+ and Ba2+ ions. While we took many steps to ensure the high fidelity of our recordings, problems can occur when CaV currents become large and fast, or when currents run down. Thus, we use here single channel recordings to further test the hypothesis that permeating ions interact with N-type channels in a voltage-dependent manner. We also examined L-type (CaV1.2) channels to determine if these channels also exhibit voltage-dependent permeation. Like our whole-cell data, we find that voltage modulates N-channel affinity for Ba2+ at voltages>0 mV, but has little or no effect at voltages<0 mV. Furthermore, we demonstrate that permeation through L-channel is also modulated by voltage. Thus, voltage-dependence may be a common feature of divalent cation permeation through CaV1 and CaV2 channels (i.e. high-voltage activated CaV channels). The voltage dependence of CaV1 channel permeation is likely a mechanism mediating sustained Ca2+ influx during the plateau phase of the cardiac action potential.