The present study examines the influences of pH and Ca2+ and several putative inhibitors on the basolateral K+ channel of the rectal gland of Squalus acanthias. Excised membrane patches were examined using the patch clamp technique. It is shown that reduction of the calcium activity on the cytosolic side to less than 10(-9) mol/l has no detectable inhibitory effect on this channel. Conversely, increase in calcium activity to some 10(-3) mol/l reduced the activity of this channel. Variations in cytosolic pH had only a moderate effect on the current amplitude: alkalosis by one pH unit increased and acidosis reduced the single current amplitude by some 15%. Several inhibitors were tested in excised patches when added to the cytosolic side. Ba2+ (approximately 5 X 10(-3) mol/l), quinine (approximately 10(-3) mol/l), quinidine (approximately 10(-4) mol/l), lidocaine (approximately equal to 1 mmol/l), tetraethylammonium (approximately 10 mmol/l), Cs+ (approximately 10 mmol/l), and Rb+ (approximately 20 mmol/l) all blocked this K+ channel reversibly. We conclude that the basolateral K+ channel of the rectal gland is distinct from other epithelial K+ channels inasmuch as it is not stimulated by Ca2+ directly, but that it is qualitatively similar to many other known K+ channels with respect to its sensitivity towards blockers.