A voltage‐gated calcium channel is linked to the antigen receptor in Jurkat T lymphocytes

Abstract

Activation of T lymphocytes results in an increase in intracellular Ca²⁺ due in large part to influx of extracellular Ca²⁺. Using the patch clamp technique, an inward current in Jurkat T lymphocytes was observed upon depolarization from a holding potential of −90 mV but not from −60 mV. This whole-cell current was insensitive to tetrodotoxin, carried by Ba²⁺, and blocked by Ni²⁺. Occupancy of the T lymphocyte antigen receptor increased the current's magnitude. These data suggest that antigen receptor-induced Ca²⁺ entry in T lymphocytes may be mediated by a voltage-regulated Ca channel.