Membrane potentials in an acanthocephalan worm (Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus)

Parasitology ◽  
1981 ◽  
Vol 83 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. M. Miller ◽  
B. S. Wong ◽  
T. T. Dunagan
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Calcium Ions ◽  
Potassium Concentration ◽  
Sodium Concentration ◽  
Calcium Flux ◽  
Resting Membrane Potential ◽  
Free Medium ◽  
External Potassium ◽  
Macracanthorhynchus Hirudinaceus

SUMMARYThe resting membrane potential of the acanthocephalan rete system in Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus was −35±1·5 mV (n = 20) and was dependent upon the external potassium concentration. The membrane potential reached 0 mV when the external potassium concentration was 160 mM. Spontaneous spike potentials of 45 mV ± 10 were dependent on calcium flux. The membrane potential was depolarized by acetylcholine, potassium-free medium, calcium ions and chloride-free medium but not by changes in the external sodium concentration. Spontaneous potentials were increased in number by acetylcholine and calcium at concentrations above 3 mM, but were decreased in number by chloride- and calcium-free medium. Hence the rete system potentials are very similar to smooth muscle potentials in many respects.

scholarly journals Relative Ion Permeabilities in the Crayfish Giant Axon Determined from Rapid External Ion Changes

1967 ◽  
Vol 50 (7) ◽  
pp. 1929-1953 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alfred Strickholm ◽  
B. Gunnar Wallin
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Potassium Level ◽  
Potassium Concentration ◽  
Giant Axon ◽  
Resting Potential ◽  
Resting Membrane Potential ◽  
Constant Field ◽  
Appreciable Effect ◽  
Ion Concentrations ◽  
External Potassium

The changes in membrane potential of isolated, single crayfish giant axons following rapid shifts in external ion concentrations have been studied. At normal resting potential the immediate change in membrane potential after a variation in external potassium concentration is quite marked compared to the effect of an equivalent chloride change. If the membrane is depolarized by a maintained potassium elevation, the immediate potential change due to a chloride variation becomes comparable to that of an equivalent potassium change. There is no appreciable effect on membrane potential when external sodium is varied, at normal or at a depolarized membrane potential. Starting from the constant field equation, expressions for the permeability ratios PCl/PK, PNa/PK, and for intracellular potassium and chloride concentrations are derived. At normal resting membrane potential, PCl/PK is 0.13 but at a membrane potential of -53 mv (external potassium level increased about five times) it is 0.85. The intracellular concentrations of potassium and chloride are estimated to be 233 and 34 mM, respectively, and it is pointed out that this is not compatible with ions distributed in a Nernst equilibrium across the membrane. It is also stressed that the information given by a plot of membrane potential vs. the logarithm of external potassium concentrations is very limited and rests upon several important assumptions.

Effect of the external concentrations of potassium and sodium on the release of (−)-[3H]noradrenaline from the adrenergic nerves of the rat vas deferens

1978 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 323-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Johns ◽  
D. M. Paton
Keyword(s):  
Action Potential ◽  
Vas Deferens ◽  
Potassium Concentration ◽  
Nerve Impulse ◽  
Sodium Concentration ◽  
Rat Vas Deferens ◽  
Adrenergic Nerves ◽  
Resting Membrane Potential ◽  
Release Of Noradrenaline ◽  
External Potassium

The effect of the external concentrations of sodium and potassium on the nerve-induced release of (−)-[3H]noradrenaline from the adrenergic nerves of the rat vas deferens has been investigated. Increasing the external potassium concentration above 5 mM decreased the amount of noradrenaline released, while reducing the external potassium concentration below 5 mM had no significant effect on the induced release of noradrenaline. Decreasing the external sodium concentration below 75 mM progressively decreased the release of noradrenaline. It is concluded that the amplitude of the action potential is optimum for release at the normal resting membrane potential, and only decreasing the amplitude of the action potential alters the amount of transmitter released per nerve impulse.

Sodium dependence of the thyrotrophin-induced depolarization in cultured porcine thyroid cells

1986 ◽  
Vol 108 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. A. Hambleton ◽  
J. R. Bourke ◽  
G. J. Huxham ◽  
S. W. Manley
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Action Potentials ◽  
Potassium Concentration ◽  
Sodium Current ◽  
Resting Membrane Potential ◽  
Thyroid Cell ◽  
Free Medium ◽  
Thyroid Cells ◽  
Voltage Dependent ◽  
Sodium And Potassium

ABSTRACT Cultured porcine thyroid cells exhibit a resting membrane potential of about − 73 mV and depolarize to about − 54 mV on exposure to TSH. The depolarizing response to TSH was preserved in a medium consisting only of inorganic salts and buffers, but was abolished in sodium-free medium, demonstrating dependence on an inward sodium current. Increasing the potassium concentration of the medium resulted in a reduction in the resting membrane potential of 60 mV per tenfold change in potassium concentration, and a diminished TSH response. A hyperpolarizing TSH response was observed in a sodium- and bicarbonate-free medium, indicating that a hyperpolarizing ion current (probably carried by potassium) was also enhanced in the presence of TSH. Tetrodotoxin blocked the TSH response. We conclude that the response of the thyroid cell membrane to TSH involves increases in permeability to sodium and potassium, and that the thyroid membrane ion channels bear some similarity to the voltage-dependent sodium channels of excitable tissues, despite the absence of action potentials in the thyroid. J. Endocr. (1986) 108, 225–230

Role of HERG-like K+ currents in opossum esophageal circular smooth muscle

1999 ◽  
Vol 277 (6) ◽  
pp. C1284-C1290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamid I. Akbarali ◽  
Hemant Thatte ◽  
Xue Dao He ◽  
Wayne R. Giles ◽  
Raj K. Goyal
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Smooth Muscle Cells ◽  
Single Cells ◽  
Circular Muscle ◽  
Muscle Cells ◽  
Resting Membrane Potential ◽  
Channel Blockers ◽  
Circular Smooth Muscle ◽  
Inward Currents

An inwardly rectifying K+ conductance closely resembling the human ether-a-go-go-related gene (HERG) current was identified in single smooth muscle cells of opossum esophageal circular muscle. When cells were voltage clamped at 0 mV, in isotonic K+ solution (140 mM), step hyperpolarizations to −120 mV in 10-mV increments resulted in large inward currents that activated rapidly and then declined slowly (inactivated) during the test pulse in a time- and voltage- dependent fashion. The HERG K+ channel blockers E-4031 (1 μM), cisapride (1 μM), and La3+ (100 μM) strongly inhibited these currents as did millimolar concentrations of Ba2+. Immunoflourescence staining with anti-HERG antibody in single cells resulted in punctate staining at the sarcolemma. At membrane potentials near the resting membrane potential (−50 to −70 mV), this K+ conductance did not inactivate completely. In conventional microelectrode recordings, both E-4031 and cisapride depolarized tissue strips by 10 mV and also induced phasic contractions. In combination, these results provide direct experimental evidence for expression of HERG-like K+ currents in gastrointestinal smooth muscle cells and suggest that HERG plays an important role in modulating the resting membrane potential.

Disorders of potassium homeostasis

2010 ◽  
pp. 3831-3845 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Firth
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Potassium Concentration ◽  
Resting Membrane Potential ◽  
Extracellular Potassium ◽  
Normal Range ◽  
Critical Determinant ◽  
Potassium Homeostasis ◽  
Extracellular Potassium Concentration

The normal range of potassium concentration in serum is 3.5 to 5.0 mmol/litre and within cells it is 150 to 160 mmol/litre, the ratio of intracellular to extracellular potassium concentration being a critical determinant of cellular resting membrane potential and thereby of the function of excitable tissues....

Effect of acute experimental colitis on rabbit colonic smooth muscle

1986 ◽  
Vol 251 (4) ◽  
pp. G538-G545 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. Cohen ◽  
H. W. Kao ◽  
S. T. Tan ◽  
J. Lechago ◽  
W. J. Snape
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Current Pulse ◽  
Mechanical Response ◽  
Contractile Activity ◽  
Experimental Colitis ◽  
Isometric Tension ◽  
Mucosal Inflammation ◽  
Resting Membrane Potential ◽  
Circular Smooth Muscle

The membrane potential and contractile activity of colonic circular smooth muscle from New Zealand White rabbits were studied after the production of acute experimental colitis. Colitis was induced in the distal colon by rectal infusion of formaldehyde solution, followed by an intravenous bolus of soluble immune complexes. Despite active mucosal inflammation, there are only occasional inflammatory cells in the muscularis. Electrophysiological studies on tissue from control rabbits and rabbits with colitis were performed using double sucrose gap and intracellular microelectrode techniques. The resting membrane potential was lower (-44 +/- 3 mV) in muscle from rabbits with colitis compared with control animals (-54 +/- 2 mV) (P less than 0.02). Amplitude of the electrotonic potential after a hyperpolarizing current pulse was decreased (P less than 0.05) and the time constant was shortened (P less than 0.01) in muscle from animals with colitis compared with normal animals. Amplitude (13.1 +/- 2.3 mV) and maximum rate of rise (0.24 +/- 0.06 V/s) of the spike potential, initiated by a depolarizing current pulse, were decreased in muscle from animals with colitis compared with muscle from healthy animals (P less than 0.001). Isometric tension generation after electrical and chemical depolarization of the membrane or bethanechol administration was decreased (P less than 0.001) in muscle from colitic animals. These studies suggest 1) membrane resistance and membrane potential are decreased in muscle strips from animals with colitis; and 2) there is a disturbance in the electrical and mechanical response of these tissues after stimulation.

Neural and myogenic effects of cyclooxygenase products on canine bronchial smooth muscle

1995 ◽  
Vol 268 (1) ◽  
pp. L47-L55 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. P. Abela ◽  
E. E. Daniel
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Electrical Field Stimulation ◽  
Resting Membrane Potential ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Ach Release ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Excitatory Junction Potentials ◽  
Pg E2 ◽  
Large Contraction

In canine bronchi bathed in 10(-6) M indomethacin (IDM), prostaglandin (PG) E2 inhibited electrical field stimulation (EFS)- and acetylcholine (ACh)-mediated contractions and excitatory junction potentials (EJP) in a concentration-dependent manner without altering the resting membrane potential. EFS-induced EJPs were abolished at 10(-7) M PGE2, which shifted responses to ACh 10-fold rightward. Thus PGE2 predominantly inhibited the release of ACh and secondarily decreased smooth muscle response to ACh. U-46619, an analogue of thromboxane A2 (TxA2), initiated tetrodotoxin- and atropine-insensitive contractions in a concentration-dependent manner. U-46619 (10(-9) M) did not alter significantly EFS- or ACh-stimulated contractions and potentiated EFS amplitude of EJPs without depolarizing muscle cells. Either prejunctional activation of ACh release by TxA2 or postjunctional potentiation of the response to ACh can explain these findings. U-46619 (<or = 10(-8) M) depolarized the membrane potential, initiating oscillations accompanied by a large contraction. Addition of 10(-8) M nitrendipine, but not tetraethylammonium (25 mM), blocked the oscillations selectively. Other prostanoids (PGD2, PGI2, and PGF2 alpha) had no significant effects on canine bronchi. In the absence of IDM, PGE2 accumulated, EFS contractions decreased with time, and EJPs disappeared. We conclude that in canine bronchi PGE2 predominantly inhibits ACh release and endogenous PGE2 acts similarly, whereas TxA2 excites, probably at postjunctional sites.

Effect of cold temperature on membrane potential responses in opossum esophageal circular muscle

1989 ◽  
Vol 257 (4) ◽  
pp. G637-G643
Author(s):  
D. Kauvar ◽  
J. Crist ◽  
R. K. Goyal
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Circular Muscle ◽  
Electrical Field Stimulation ◽  
Cold Temperature ◽  
Resting Membrane Potential ◽  
Spike Potential ◽  
Circular Smooth Muscle ◽  
Time To Peak ◽  
Proximal Site

The effects of cold temperature on resting membrane potential (RMP) and membrane potential responses to depolarizing electrical current and intramural nerve stimulation were examined in opossum esophageal circular smooth muscle. Intracellular recordings were made in smooth muscle strips obtained from 7 to 8 cm (proximal site) and 1 to 2 cm (distal site) above the lower esophageal sphincter. RMP was not affected by changes in temperature between 34 and 22 degrees C. Cooling caused progressive inhibition of the amplitude and a slight increase in the duration of the spike potential produced by depolarizing current. Cooling did not modify the threshold for spike potential generation but decreased the spike amplitude from 34.0 +/- 0.5 mV at 34 degrees C to 14.1 +/- 2.2 mV at 22 degrees C (P less than 0.01). Electrical field stimulation with single electrical pulses (1.0 ms) produced tetrodotoxin-sensitive biphasic membrane responses consisting of initial hyperpolarization, or an inhibitory junction potential followed by depolarization that increased in amplitude as temperature was decreased from 34 to 26 degrees C and then decreased in amplitude as temperature was further decreased. At both proximal and distal sites cooling from 34 to 22 degrees C caused more than a twofold increase in the duration of hyperpolarization and time to peak depolarization. However, the increase in the absolute time of the duration of hyperpolarization and the time to peak depolarization was significantly greater at the distal than proximal esophageal site. Cooling to 16 degrees C decreased RMP and nearly abolished the biphasic membrane potential response.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Increased intracellular Na+ and depolarization favor angiotension tachyphylaxis in rabbit aorta

1991 ◽  
Vol 260 (2) ◽  
pp. H373-H378 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Frediani-Neto ◽  
E. G. Silva ◽  
T. B. Paiva ◽  
A. C. Paiva
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Angiotensin Ii ◽  
Rabbit Aorta ◽  
Ang Ii ◽  
Free Medium ◽  
Intracellular Na Activity ◽  
Activity Measurements ◽  
Site Of Action ◽  
Rate Limiting

Tachyphylaxis to both angiotensin II (ANG II) and Sar1-ANG II is observed in normal rabbit aorta rings, but helical strips show tachyphylaxis only to Sar1-ANG II, whereas everted rings are not tachyphylactic to either analogue. In normal rings, a good correlation was observed between intraluminal pH and degree of tachyphylaxis to both analogues, suggesting that rate-limiting access of the agonists to their site of action may enhance tachyphylaxis in this preparation. Membrane potential and intracellular Na+ activity measurements, as well as the relaxation by K+ of norepinephrine-contracted preparations in K(+)-free medium, indicated that helical strips are more depolarized than everted rings due to Na+ leakage into the smooth muscle cells. These results suggest that the differences in the degree of tachyphylaxis induced by angiotensin in different rabbit aorta preparations are due to a less accessible site of action in normal rings and to the higher intracellular Na+ and more depolarized state of helical strips relative to everted rings.

Effect of external ions on 45Ca efflux from cat intestinal muscle

1980 ◽  
Vol 238 (6) ◽  
pp. G520-G525
Author(s):  
B. A. Curtis ◽  
D. Kreulen ◽  
C. L. Prosser
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Small Intestine ◽  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Ethylene Glycol ◽  
Resting Membrane Potential ◽  
Krebs Solution ◽  
Tetraacetic Acid ◽  
Circular Smooth Muscle ◽  
45Ca Efflux

The surface-bound Ca of isolated circular smooth muscle of cat small intestine can be removed by substitution of LiCl for NaCl in Krebs solution. This substitution removed surface-bound Ca (45Ca) and allowed us to study transmembrane 45Ca efflux. Neither the resting membrane potential nor contractility changed when Li was substituted for Na. Li removed the same extracellular 45Ca store as did ethylene glycol-bis-(beta-aminoethylether)-N,N'-tetraacetic acid. The resting transmembrane 45Ca efflux was inhibited by La3+ and was unchanged in Li, tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane, arginine, and sucrose Krebs solution. The extra 45Ca efflux observed upon electrical stimulation was no greater in Na-Krebs than Li-Krebs, but during response to acetylcholine the extra 45Ca efflux was greater in Na-Krebs than Li-Krebs. We conclude that the surface-bound Ca is sensitive to external Na and that the transmembrane Ca efflux is not completely dependent on external Na.

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