Role of hyperpolarization-activated cation channels in pyeloureteric peristalsis.

Although it has been recognized for more than 140 years that the pacemaker driving pyeloureteric peristalsis resides within the kidney, the cellular mechanisms underlying this autorhythmicity have been little investigated. The demonstration by Hurtado et al. of a role of hyperpolarization-activated cation channels in the maintenance of coordinated propagating contractions in the mouse renal pelvis raises a number of intriguing possibilities in addition to the provided correlation with 'pacemaker' function as in the heart and neurons.