Single channel recordings of calcium-activated potassium channels in the apical membrane of rabbit cortical collecting tubules.

Recordings of single potassium channels from the apical membrane of rabbit cortical collecting tubule have been achieved using the patch-clamp technique. The conductive properties of the channel have been studied in inside-out patches. The slope conductance of the open channel is approximately equal to 90 pS. The channel is selective to potassium over sodium, with a selectivity ratio of 9:1. Decreasing the calcium concentration of the solution bathing the cytoplasmic face of the patch results in a decrease of the open-channel probability. Decreasing the calcium concentration to 10 nM or less completely inhibited channel activity. The channel is also inhibited by barium in a dose-dependent fashion.