Activity of vacuolar ion channels can be regulated by the cytosolic fr
ee Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+](cyt)). Using the whole-vacuole mode of p
atch-clamp with Vicia faba guard cell vacuoles, three distinct cation
currents were apparent that were differentially regulated by [Ca2+](cy
t). At 'zero' to 100 nM [Ca2+](cyt), instantaneous currents typical of
Fast Vacuolar (FV) channels were activated. A 10 fold KCl gradient di
rected out of the vacuole increased FV currents (up to fivefold) at ne
gative potentials compared with the currents in symmetrical KCI. At [C
a2+](cyt) higher than 100 nM, instantaneous currents became smaller an
d voltage-independent (non-rectifying) and were typical of Vacuolar K-selective (VK) channels. These currents were less sensitive to a KCI
gradient than were the FV currents, being stimulated less than twofold
at negative potentials. Reversal potentials measured in the presence
of a KCl gradient indicated a high K+ permeability of both FV and VK c
urrents. At [Ca2+](cyt) higher than 600 nM time-dependent currents eli
cited by positive potentials were typical of Slow Vacuolar (SV) channe
l activation. When the Ca2+ mole fraction in the cytosolic or luminal
solution was varied the reversal potential of SV currents (determined
by tail current analysis) passed through maximum or minimum values. Th
e resultant calculated apparent permeability ratios varied with ionic
conditions but indicated high Ca2+ and K+ permeabilities. If a Cl- per
meability was assumed then the apparent P-Ca was lower. However, subst
itution of Cl- by the larger (impermeant) anion gluconate had no effec
t on the reversal potential of SV tail currents in the presence of Ca2
+ and a K+ gradient, demonstrating that the assumption of Cl- permeabi
lity of the SV channel is invalid. Single-channel SV currents also dec
reased with increasing cytosolic Ca2+ mole fraction. These data indica
te that the SV channel is highly cation selective, shows characteristi
cs typical of a multi-ion pore and derives ion selectivity by Ca2+ bin
ding. The SV channel currents could also be Mg2+-activated and were de
monstrated to be Mg2+-permeable in the absence of Ca2+. The apparent p
ermeability ratio (P-Mg:P-K) also varied under different ionic conditi
ons. The results indicate not only that FV, VK and SV channels are all
present in a single cell type, but also that each is differentially r
egulated by [Ca2+](cyt). The respective roles of these channels in vac
uolar ion release are discussed, and possible conditions are presented
in which these channels could be activated by disparate signalling pa
thways during stomatal closure.