Inactivation properties of human recombinant class E calcium channels.

The electrophysiological and pharmacological properties of alpha(1E)-containing Ca(2+) channels were investigated by using the patch-clamp technique in the whole cell configuration, in HEK 293 cells stably expressing the human alpha(1E) together with alpha(2b) and beta(1b) accessory subunits. These channels had current-voltage (I-V) characteristics resembling those of high-voltage-activated (HVA) Ca(2+) channels (threshold at -30 mV and peak amplitude at +10 mV in 5 mM Ca(2+)). The currents activated and deactivated with a fast rate, in a time- and voltage-dependent manner.