Temperature modulation of calcium channel function in gh3 cells. Rosen, Arthur D. Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, State University of New York, Stony Brook, N.Y. 11794-8121
APStracts 3:0121C, 1996.
The effect of temperature on calcium channel function was studied in GH3 cells, using the whole-cell patch clamp methodology. Specific parameters examined were peak current amplitude, activation time and inactivation time. Over the temperature range studied (22 degrees to 37 degrees C) the peak current amplitude was found to be a nonlinear function of temperature, with low threshold currents more temperature dependent than high threshold currents. Both activation time and inactivation time were faster at higher temperatures but, whereas inactivation was a continuous function of temperature, activation was not, with a distinct discontinuity between 27 degrees and 32 degrees C. These findings suggest that caution must be exercised in extrapolating data on channel function obtained at room temperature to physiological temperatures.

Received 7 November 1995; accepted in final form 25 March 1996.
APS Manuscript Number C674-5.
Article publication pending Am. J. Physiol. (Cell Physiology).
ISSN 1080-4757 Copyright 1996 The American Physiological Society.
Published in APStracts on 23 April 96