Voltage‐activated and stretch‐activated Ba2+ conducting channels in an osteoblast‐like cell line (UMR 106)

Abstract

Calcium entry may mediate osteoblast activation by calciotropic hormones or changes in electrical fields or mechanical stress in bone. Using cell-attached patch clamping techniques, we have seen two Ba²⁺ conducting channels in UMR-106 osteoblast-like cells: (i) a voltage-dependent, dihydropyridine-sensitive channel resembling L-type Ca²⁺ channels in other cells, and (ii) a stretch-activated non-selective channel resembling those involved in mechanoreception and triggering of volume regulation in other cells.