Mesenchymal stem cells have the ability to renew and differentiate into various lineages of mesenchymal tissues. We used undifferentiated human mesenchymal-like stem cells from human umbilical cord vein (hUC-MSCs), a cell line which contains several mesenchymal cell markers. We characterized functional ion channels in cultured hUC-MSCs with whole-cell patch clamp and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Three types of outward current were found in these cells: the Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channel (IK(Ca)), a transient outward K(+) current (I(to)), and a delayed rectifier K(+) current (IK(DR)). IK(Ca) and IK(DR) were totally suppressed by tetraethylammonium, and IK(Ca) was sensitive to a specific blocker, iberiotoxin. I(to) was inhibited by 4-aminopyridine. Another type of inward rectifier K(+) current (K(ir)) was also detected in approximately 5% of hUC-MSCs. Elevation of external potassium ion concentration increased the K(ir) current amplitude and positively shifted its reversal potential. In addition, inward Na(+) current (I(Na)) was found in these cells ( approximately 30%); the current was blocked by tetrodotoxin and verapamil. In the RT-PCR analysis, Kv1.1, Kv4.2, Kv1.4, Kir2.1, heag1, MaxiK, hNE-Na, and TWIK-1 were detected. These results suggested that multiple functional ion channel currents, IK(Ca), IK(DR), I(to), I(Na), and K(ir), are expressed in hUC-MSCs. Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.