An orchestra of sodium and calcium channels is expressed in pancreatic islet cells. They are meant to be involved in the secretion of insulin and glucagon from B- or A-cells. The mechanism of insulin secretion is well documented and involves HVA calcium channels. Poor information is available for A-cell secretion of glucagon, but it is likely that different ion channels are active. We have analyzed both cell types by patch-clamp and PCR. We found that T-type calcium channels are not expressed. B-cells express the Ca_v1.2 L-type calcium channel plus the non-Ltype channels Ca_v2.1, Ca_v2.2 and Ca_v2.3. A-cells also express Ca_v1.2, but only Ca_v2.1 and Ca_v2.3. In addition the Ca_v1.3 L-type channel was identified. Two types of sodium currents are found, an early inactivating and a residual one. PCR analysis identified amplicons for Na_v1.7 in single B- and A-cells. Accordingly, the early inactivating current was identified in both cell types. The residual current was only found in a subpopulation of B-cells. Furthermore, current-clamp experiments revealed two types of rhythmic activity in B-cells. After deletion of Ca_v1.2 only one type persisted. Thus, we conclude that in mouse pancreatic islet cells, A- and B-cells are equipped with a different set of sodium and calcium channels. In addition, two types of B-cells are expressed which might have different responsibilities in insulin secretion.