Nonselective cation channels in cardiac and smooth muscle cells

Abstract

In cardiac and smooth muscle cells, nonselective cation channels can be activated by hormones and neurotransmitters, by cell stretch, and by changes in membrane potential. Activation of nonselective cation channels can depolarize the cell membrane, induce Ca2+ influx through voltage-gated Ca2+ channels and contraction. Activation of nonselective cation channels may trigger contraction even when membrane depolarization is absent or when voltage-gated Ca2+ channels are blocked, provided the Ca2+ permeability of these channels is sufficiently high.