Voltage-activated currents in the CRI-G1 rat insulin-secreting cell-line.

1. The whole-cell configuration of the patch-clamp recording technique was used to characterize the electrophysiological properties of CRI-G1 insulin-secreting cells. 2. Current-clamp recordings demonstrated the excitable nature of these cells. 3. Voltage-clamp recordings revealed the presence of an inward Na+ current, an inward Ca2+ current and a delayed outward K+ conductance. 4. The electrophysiological properties of CRI-G1 closely resemble those of pancreatic beta-cells, thereby rendering this cell-line as a useful alternative to freshly isolated cells for the study of pancreatic beta-cell electrophysiology and pharmacology.