r iberiotoxin (200 nM). A
large-conductance, Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (BK(Ca)) channel with
single-channel conductance of 162 +/- 8 pS was also observed in human
cardiac fibroblasts. Western blot analysis revealed the presence of
alpha- subunit of BK(Ca) channels. The dynamic Luo-Rudy model was
applied to predict cell behavior during direct electrical coupling of
cardiomyocytes and cardiac fibroblasts. In the simulation,
electrically coupled cardiac fibroblasts also exhibited action
potential; however, they we