L-TYPE CA-2-CORALLINA( CHANNEL IN ALGAL PLANT CHARA)

The characteristics of the Ca2+ channel in the algal plant Chara coral lina were investigated by measuring the Ca2+ activated Cl- current, I( Cl)(Ca), with a standard voltage clamp method. Concentration dependent decrease in I(Cl)(Ca) to Ca2+ blockers, such as La3+, Co2+, nifedipin e (L-type blocker), verapamil or omega-conotoxin (CTX: N-type blocker) indicates that the Ca2+ channel in Chara corallina is a typical L-typ e Ca2+ channel not a N-type. The existence of the L-type Ca2+ channel in plant cells suggest that the L-type Ca2+ channel is a prototype of Ca2+ channels.