Calcium influx through hyperpolarization-activated cation channels (I(h) channels) contributes to activity-evoked neuronal secretion.

The hyperpolarization-activated cation channels (I(h)) play a distinct role in rhythmic activities in a variety of tissues, including neurons and cardiac cells. In the present study, we investigated whether Ca(2+) can permeate through the hyperpolarization-activated pacemaker channels (HCN) expressed in HEK293 cells and I(h) channels in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Using combined measurements of whole-cell currents and fura-2 Ca(2+) imaging, we found that there is a Ca(2+) influx in proportion to I(h) induced by hyperpolarization in HEK293 cells. The I(h) channel blockers Cs(+) and ZD7288 inhibit both HCN current and Ca(2+) influx. Measurements of the fractional Ca(2+) current showed that it constitutes 0.60 +/- 0.02% of the net inward current through HCN4 at -120 mV. This fractional current is similar to that of the low Ca(2+)-permeable AMPA-R (alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor) channels in Purkinje neurons. In DRG neurons, activation of I(h) for 30 s also resulted in a Ca(2+) influx and an elevated action potential-induced secretion, as assayed by the increase in membrane capacitance. These results suggest a functional significance for I(h) channels in modulating neuronal secretion by permitting Ca(2+) influx at negative membrane potentials.