Abstract
Application of fetal calf serum to quiescent human fibroblasts produces an immediate (3 – 20 s delay) increase in membrane conductance which lasts about 20 – 30 s. This conductance is strongly outwardly-rectifying and has a reversal potential between −45 and −10 mV. The conductance increase may also be induced by application of the Ca 2+ ionophore A23187 while it does not occur when intracellular K + is replaced by Cs +. It is concluded that this early effect of serum is due to the opening of Ca 2+-activated channels. This permeability change will alter the membrane potential and thus possibly interact with other voltage-sensitive processes induced by serum growth factors.
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