THE DIHYDROPYRIDINE-SENSITIVE CALCIUM-CHANNEL SUBTYPE IN CONE PHOTORECEPTORS

High-voltage activated Ca channels in tiger salamander cone photorecep tors were studied with nystatin-permeabilized patch recordings in 3 mM Cd2+ and 10 mM Ba2+ The majority of Ca channel current was dihydropyr idine sensitive, suggesting a preponderance of L-type Ca channels. How ever, voltage-dependent, incomplete block (maximum 60%) by nifedipine (0.1-100 mu M) was evident in recordings of cones in tissue slice. In isolated cones, where the block was more potent, nifedipine (0.1-10 mu M) or nisoldipine (0.5-5 mu M) still failed to eliminate completely t he Ca channel current. Nisoldipine was equally effective in blocking C a channel current elicited in the presence of 10 mM Ba2+ (76% block) o r 3 mM Ca2+ (88% block). 15% of the Ba2+ current was reversibly blocke d by omega-conotoxin GVIA (1 mu M). After enhancement with 1 mu M Bay K 8644, omega-conotoxin GVIA blocked a greater proportion (22%) of Ba' + current than in control. After achieving partial block of the Ba2+ c urrent with nifedipine, concomitant application of omega-conotoxin GVI A produced no further block. The P-type Ca channel blocker, omega-agat oxin IVA (200 nM), had variable and insignificant effects. The current persisting in the presence of these blockers could be eliminated with Cd2+ (100 mu M). These results indicate that photoreceptors express a n L-type Ca channel having a distinguishing pharmacological profile si milar to the alpha(1D) Ca channel subtype. The presence of additional Ca channel subtypes, resistant to the widely used L-, N-, and P-type C a channel blockers, cannot, however, be ruled out.