Signalling events employed in the hypertonic activation of cation channels in HeLa cells.

In the present study, the signalling network behind the hypertonic activation of cation channels in HeLa cells was analysed by use of various inhibitors. Channel activation was monitored in whole-cell patch-clamp recordings, whereas the role of the channel in cell volume regulation was determined by electronic cell sizing. It is found that channel activation and volume control probably employs tyrosine kinases, G-proteins, PLC, PKC and p38MAP kinase, and that the process appears to depend on an intact actin skeleton.