Fig. 2.
Consecutive membrane-depolarizing pulses induce Cx46-hemichannel current facilitation. A: oocytes expressing Cx46 were depolarized 25 consecutive times from −60 to +80 mV (1.5-s-long pulses, 2.5-s intervals). B: same experiment was performed with oocytes expressing Cx46ΔCT. Currents elicited by the 1st and 25th pulses are indicated. C: fractional currents [peak currents after each pulse (Ixth) divided by the current elicited by the first pulse(I1st)] as a function of the number of depolarizing pulses, in oocytes expressing Cx46 (n = 14) and Cx46ΔCT (n = 10). The current amplitudes (Cx46 vs. Cx46ΔCT) were significantly different for pulses 2–15 (P < 0.05). There were no statistical differences for pulses 16–25 (P > 0.05).