A distinct membrane current in rat lens fiber cells isolated under calcium-free conditions.

Abstract

This is the first report of whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from intact elongated fiber cells. Fiber cells kept in calcium-free bath medium appear to be electrically "leaky" and exhibit a distinct membrane current that has not been described previously for lens cells. This current is unlikely to be active in the normal lens but may play a role in the depolarized cataractogenic lens.