Interstitial cells of Cajal generate a rhythmic pacemaker current

Networks of interstitial cells of Cajal embedded in the musculature of the gastrointestinal tract are involved in the generation of electrical pacemaker activity for gastrointestinal motility1,2. This pacemaker activity manifests itself as rhythmic slow waves in membrane potential, and controls the frequency and propagation characteristics of gut contractile activity3–6. Mice that lack a functional Kit receptor fail to develop the network of …