In addition to its known effects on Ca(2+) and Ba(2+) currents, the L-type Ca(2+) channel agonist FPL-64176 was found to affect channel function in isolated rat ventricular myocytes in the absence of Ca(2+), with other ions as current carriers through the channel. FPL-64176 induced Cd(2+) current through the L-type Ca(2+) channel, suggesting that certain selectivity properties had changed, perhaps indicative of a small change in pore structure. FPL-64176 slightly but significantly decreased the effectiveness of Co(2+) as a blocker of the channel. FPL-64176 also increased conductance through single L-type Ca(2+) channels recorded in the cell-attached configuration, from 71.9 +/- 11.6 to 94.1 +/- 8.3 pS, with Na(+) carrying the current at pH 9.0. At present it is uncertain whether FPL-64176 produces small alterations of a sole open state of the channel or whether it increases the prevalence of a second, higher conductance open state. These changes, particularly the conversion of Cd(2+) from a pure blocker to a permeant ion, may be of eventual help in discriminating among different models for Ca(2+) channel selectivity.