Facilitation of Cav2.1 and Cav2.2a.
(A) Prepulse facilitation of Cav2.1
channels. A 4-ms test pulse (test 1) to the indicated test potential
was applied from the holding potential of −60 mV. After 1 s, a
10-ms conditioning prepulse to +100 mV was applied, the cell was
repolarized to −60 mV for 10 ms, and a second 4-ms test pulse (test 2)
identical to test-pulse 1 was applied. Means ± SEM of
Ba2+ tail currents were plotted against test-pulse
potentials. ○, test 1; ●, test 2.
(B) Prepulse facilitation of Cav2.2a
channels. As in A, except 10-ms test pulses were used,
and the repolarization was for 1 ms to −70 mV. ○, test 1;
●, test 2. Current traces shown above
A and B were recorded during and after
test 1 and test 2 at +30 mV. (C) Voltage dependence of
facilitation. A 4-ms (α1) or 10-ms (Cav2.2a)
test pulse to +30 mV was applied from the holding potential of −60 mV
(Cav2.1) or −70 mV (Cav2.2a). After 1 s,
a 10-ms conditioning prepulse to the indicated potential was applied,
the cell was repolarized to −60 mV (Cav2.1) for 10 ms or
−70 mV (Cav2.2a) for 1 ms, and a second 4-ms
(Cav2.1) or 10-ms (Cav2.2a) test pulse (test 2)
to +30 mV was applied. Peak tail currents following each test pulse
were measured. The facilitation ratio was calculated by dividing
currents in test 2 by the currents in test 1, and means ± SEM of
normalized facilitation ratios were plotted against the conditioning
pulse potential. ●, Cav2.1;
○, Cav2.2a.