Calcium-sensitivity of the plasmalemmal delayed rectifier potassium current suggests that calcium influx in pulvinar protoplasts from Mimosa pudica L. can be revealed by hyperpolarization

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Abstract
Isolated protoplasts from pulvinar motor cells of Mimosa pudica were studied using conventional whole-cell patch clamp techniques. With internal solutions weakly buffered for Ca2+ (0.2 mm EGTA), a run-down of the outward delayed rectifier K+ current was induced by hyperpolarizing the holding potential, and this effect was strongly promoted by high external Ca2+ concentrations. This rundown could be reversed by coming back to less hyperpolarized holding potentials or by lowering the external [Ca2+]. Such rundown was absent when pipette internal solutions strongly buffered (10 mm EGTA) for Ca2+ were used. Ionomycin induced run-down of the K+ current with internal solutions containing 0.2 mm but not 10 mm EGTA. The hyperpolarization-associated rundown was reversibly blocked by Gd3+ and La3+.