Single-channel current recordings were used to examine the properties and modulation of Drosophila transient-receptor-potential-like (TRPL) channels transiently expressed in HEK and COS cells. Recombinant TRPL channels were constitutively active and characterized by a conductance of 104 pS in on-cell membrane patches with 115 mM Na+ and 2 mM Mg2+ in the pipette solution. In inside-out membrane patches exposed to 115 mM Na+ plus 2 mM Mg2+, 115 mM Na+ plus 10 mM Mg2+, 90 mM Ca2+ and 90 mM Ba2+ on both sides, the single-channel conductances were 72 pS, 36 pS, 48 pS and 46 pS, respectively. The single TRPL channel currents reversed close to 0 mV and displayed a linear voltage dependence between -120 mV and +120 mV. Removal of cations from the pipette and bath solutions abolished inward and outward currents, respectively. Similar currents were not observed in mock-transfected and native cells. The opening probability of TRPL channels increased by depolarizing the membrane and accounted for the outward rectification of whole-cell TRPL currents. In on-cell membrane patches, the TRPL channel activity was enhanced by cell dialysis of 300 microM guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP[gamma-S]) and by a rise of intracellular Ca2+ (>2 microM). Constitutively active TRPL channels depolarized the host cells to -10 mV and the membrane potential was restored by cell dialysis with 10 mM BAPTA. The present results suggest that TRPL forms non-selective cationic channels modulated by intracellular Ca2+ in mammalian cells.