The effects of the trivalent cation aluminum (Al3+) on voltage activated calcium channel currents were examined. Al3+ blocks sustained and transient components of voltage activated calcium channel currents of cultured rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells. Currents were elicited by voltage jumps from -80 to 0 mV. The channel block was use dependent. Steady state blockade occurred after 1 to 5 mi...
