Known calcium channel alpha1 subunits can form low threshold small conductance channels with similarities to native T-type channels.

Native T-type voltage-dependent calcium channels are low voltage-activated and have a small single channel conductance of 5-8 pS, which distinguishes them from any known cloned calcium channels whose conductances are 12-25 pS. Here, we show that when alpha1B, alpha1E, or alpha1C are expressed in COS7 cells, which contain no endogenous calcium channel subunits or calcium channels, they each exhibit a 4-7 pS channel as well as a large conductance channel. At low depolarizations, or when the alpha1 subunit is expressed in the absence of auxiliary alpha2-delta or beta subunits, the small conductance channels are seen alone, and their biophysical properties, including voltage dependence and kinetics of activation and inactivation, are very similar to native T-type calcium channels.