scholarly journals Two Ca current components of the receptor current in the electroreceptors of the marine catfish Plotosus.

1989 ◽  
Vol 93 (2) ◽  
pp. 365-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y Sugawara

In the isolated sensory epithelium of the Plotosus electroreceptor, the receptor current has been dissected into inward Ca current, ICa, and superimposed outward transient of Ca-gated K current, IK(Ca). In control saline (170 mM/liter Na), with IK(Ca) abolished by K blockers, ICa declined in two successive exponential phases with voltage-dependent time constants. Double-pulse experiments revealed that the test ICa was partially depressed by prepulses, maximally near voltage levels for the control ICa maximum, which suggests current-dependent inactivation. In low Na saline (80 mM/liter), ICa declined in a single phase with time constants similar to those of the slower phase in control saline. The test ICa was then unaffected by prepulses. The implied presence of two Ca current components, the fast and slow ICa's, were further examined. In control saline, the PSP externally recorded from the afferent nerve showed a fast peak and a slow tonic phase. The double-pulse experiments revealed that IK(Ca) and the peak PSP were similarly depressed, i.e., secondarily to inactivation of the peak current. The steady inward current, however, was unaffected by prolonged prepulses that were stepped to 0 mV, the in situ DC level. Therefore, the fast ICa seems to initiate IK(Ca) and phasic release of transmitter, which serves for phasic receptor responses. The slow ICa may provide persistent active current, which has been shown to maintain tonic receptor operation.

1997 ◽  
Vol 272 (5) ◽  
pp. C1525-C1531 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Romero ◽  
R. Sullivan

Megakaryocytes isolated from rat bone marrow express a voltage-dependent, outward K+ current with complex kinetics of activation and inactivation. We found that this current could be separated into at least two components based on differential responses to K+ channel blockers. One component, which exhibited features of the "transient" or "A-type" K+ current of excitable cells, was more strongly blocked by 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) than by tetrabutylammonium (TBA). This current, which we designated as "4-AP-sensitive" current, activated rapidly at potentials more positive than -40 mV and subsequently underwent rapid voltage-dependent inactivation. A separate current that activated slowly was blocked much more effectively by TBA than by 4-AP. This "TBA-sensitive" component, which resembled a typical delayed rectifier current, was much more resistant to voltage-dependent inactivation. The relative contribution of each of these components varied from cell to cell. The effect of charybdotoxin was similar to that of 4-AP. Our data indicate that the voltage-dependent K+ current of resting megakaryocytes is more complex than heretofore believed and support the emerging concept that megakaryocytes possess intricate electrophysiological properties.


1993 ◽  
Vol 101 (4) ◽  
pp. 571-601 ◽  
Author(s):  
D L Campbell ◽  
R L Rasmusson ◽  
Y Qu ◽  
H C Strauss

Enzymatically isolated myocytes from ferret right ventricles (12-16 wk, male) were studied using the whole cell patch clamp technique. The macroscopic properties of a transient outward K+ current I(to) were quantified. I(to) is selective for K+, with a PNa/PK of 0.082. Activation of I(to) is a voltage-dependent process, with both activation and inactivation being independent of Na+ or Ca2+ influx. Steady-state inactivation is well described by a single Boltzmann relationship (V1/2 = -13.5 mV; k = 5.6 mV). Substantial inactivation can occur during a subthreshold depolarization without any measurable macroscopic current. Both development of and recovery from inactivation are well described by single exponential processes. Ensemble averages of single I(to) channel currents recorded in cell-attached patches reproduce macroscopic I(to) and indicate that inactivation is complete at depolarized potentials. The overall inactivation/recovery time constant curve has a bell-shaped potential dependence that peaks between -10 and -20 mV, with time constants (22 degrees C) ranging from 23 ms (-90 mV) to 304 ms (-10 mV). Steady-state activation displays a sigmoidal dependence on membrane potential, with a net aggregate half-activation potential of +22.5 mV. Activation kinetics (0 to +70 mV, 22 degrees C) are rapid, with I(to) peaking in approximately 5-15 ms at +50 mV. Experiments conducted at reduced temperatures (12 degrees C) demonstrate that activation occurs with a time delay. A nonlinear least-squares analysis indicates that three closed kinetic states are necessary and sufficient to model activation. Derived time constants of activation (22 degrees C) ranged from 10 ms (+10 mV) to 2 ms (+70 mV). Within the framework of Hodgkin-Huxley formalism, Ito gating can be described using an a3i formulation.


1982 ◽  
Vol 60 (9) ◽  
pp. 1185-1192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodolphe Fischmeister ◽  
Magda Horackova

The validity of a Hodgkin–Huxley type voltage-dependent inactivation of slow inward Ca current (Isi) was tested in frog heart using a computer simulation. The time course of Isi, was calculated during the development of a frog atrial action potential (AP). With a time constant of inactivation (τf) of 55 ms at a membrane potential (Em) of –15 mV, the variation of Isi was biphasic; after a transient increase followed by a decrease to zero, Isi partially "reactivated" (at the beginning of the AP repolarization phase) and then fully deactivated. The "reactivation" phase of Isi developed whether τf was an increasing, decreasing, U-shaped, or bell-shaped function of Em. The addition of an independent and slower process responsible for the recovery from inactivation only partly suppressed the "reactivation" phase. However, until now there was no experimental evidence supporting such a biphasic variation of Isi during AP repolarization. Thus our results indicate that the Hodgkin–Huxley type model of the voltage-dependence of Isi-inactivation process may not correctly represent the actual behavior of frog cardiac muscle.


1993 ◽  
Vol 102 (2) ◽  
pp. 239-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
B Mlinar ◽  
J J Enyeart

In whole cell patch clamp recordings on enzymatically dissociated adrenal zona fasciculata (AZF) cells, a rapidly inactivating A-type K+ current was observed in each of more than 150 cells. Activation of IA was steeply voltage dependent and could be described by a Boltzmann function raised to an integer power of 4, with a midpoint of -28.3 mV. Using the "limiting logarithmic potential sensitivity," the single channel gating charge was estimated to be 7.2 e. Voltage-dependent inactivation could also be described by a Boltzmann function with a midpoint of -58.7 mV and a slope factor of 5.92 mV. Gating kinetics of IA included both voltage-dependent and -independent transitions in pathways between closed, open, and inactivated states. IA activated with voltage-dependent sigmoidal kinetics that could be fit with an n4h formalism. The activation time constant, tau a, reached a voltage-independent minimum at potentials positive to 0 mV. IA currents inactivated with two time constants that were voltage independent at potentials ranging from -30 to +45 mV. At +20 mV, tau i(fast) and tau i(slow) were 13.16 +/- 0.64 and 62.26 +/- 5.35 ms (n = 34), respectively. In some cells, IA inactivation kinetics slowed dramatically after many minutes of whole cell recording. Once activated by depolarization, IA channels returned to the closed state along pathways with two voltage-dependent time constants which were 0.208 s, tau rec-f and 10.02 s, tau rec-s at -80 mV. Approximately 90% of IA current recovered with slow kinetics at potentials between -60 and -100 mV. IA was blocked by 4-aminopyridine (IC50 = 629 microM) through a mechanism that was strongly promoted by channel activation. Divalent and trivalent cations including Ni2+ and La3+ also blocked IA with IC50's of 467 and 26.4 microM, respectively. With respect to biophysical properties and pharmacology, IA in AZF cells resembles to some extent transient K+ currents in neurons and muscle, where they function to regulate action potential frequency and duration. The function of this prominent current in steroid hormone secretion by endocrine cells that may not generate action potentials is not yet clear.


1989 ◽  
Vol 256 (4) ◽  
pp. C880-C885 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Imaizumi ◽  
K. Muraki ◽  
M. Takeda ◽  
M. Watanabe

An attempt was made to obtain electrophysiological evidence for continuous influx of Ca ion through voltage-dependent Ca channel (VDCC) in smooth muscle during long depolarization, for example in high K solution. Noninactivated Ca current [ICa(ni)] remaining after the accomplishment of voltage-dependent inactivation by prolonged depolarization for approximately 1 min was detected by three means under whole cell voltage clamp in several types of smooth muscle cells. The measurement of ICa(ni) was performed by micropuff application of Cd2+ or Ca2+ in the presence or absence of 5 mM extracellular Ca, respectively, or jump of extracellular Ca concentration [( Ca]o). The current-voltage relationship of ICa(ni) evaluated by these means had a peak at approximately -10 mV. The peak amplitude ranged from 5 to 25 pA, depending on whether the cells were isolated from guinea pig urinary bladder, ureter, vas deferens, taenia caecum, or rabbit portal vein. The ICa(ni) may be large enough to explain sustained contraction in high K solution, at least in these smooth muscle tissues. A window current simulated from the steady-state activation and inactivation curves and the maximum conductance of Ca current (ICa) in these cells suggests a theoretical basis for the observed ICa(ni).


1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (2) ◽  
pp. 1180-1194 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. S. Nisenbaum ◽  
C. J. Wilson ◽  
R. C. Foehring ◽  
D. J. Surmeier

1. Depolarization-activated, calcium-independent potassium (K+) currents were studied with the use of whole cell voltage-clamp recording from neostriatal neurons acutely isolated from adult (> or = 4 wk old) rats. The whole cell K+ current was composed of transient and persistent components. The aims of the experiments were to isolate the persistent component and then to characterize its voltage dependence and kinetics. 2. Application of 10 mM 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) completely blocked the transient currents while reducing the persistent current by approximately 40% [50% inhibitory concentration (IC50), of blockable current = 125 microM]. The persistent K+ current also was reduced by tetraethylammonium (TEA). Two components to the TEA block were present, having IC50s of 125 microM (23% of the blockable current) and 5.9 mM (77% of the blockable current). Collectively, these results suggested that the persistent components of the total K+ current was pharmacologically heterogeneous. The properties of the 4-AP-resistant, persistent K+ current (IKrp) were subsequently studied. 3. The kinetics of activation and deactivation of IKrp were voltage dependent. Examination of the entire activation/deactivation time constant profile showed that it was bell shaped, with time constants being moderately rapid (tau approximately 50 ms) at membrane potentials corresponding to the resting potential of neostriatal cells (approximately -80 mV), becoming considerably longer (tau approximately 100 ms) at potentials near the cells' spike thresholds (approximately -45 mV), and decreasing to a minimum (tau approximately 5 ms) at potentials associated with the peak of the cells' action potentials (approximately +20 mV). The inactivation kinetics of IKrp also were voltage dependent. The time constants of inactivation varied between 1 and 8 s at potentials between -10 and +35 mV. 4. Unlike persistent K+ currents in many other cell types, IKrp activated at relatively hyperpolarized membrane potentials (approximately -70 mV). The Boltzmann function describing activation had a half-activation voltage of -13 mV and a slope factor of 12 mV. In addition, the Boltzmann function describing the voltage dependence of inactivation of IKrp had a relatively depolarized half-inactivation voltage of -55 and a large slope factor of 19 mV, indicating that this current was available over a broad range of membrane potentials (between -100 and -10 mV). 5. Neostriatal neurons recorded in vivo exhibit subthreshold shifts in membrane potential of variable duration (tens of ms to s) from a hyperpolarized resting state to a depolarized state that is limited in amplitude just below spike threshold. The voltage dependence of activation and inactivation of IKrp indicates that it will be available on depolarization from the hyperpolarized state. However, the slow activation rate of this current suggests that it will contribute little either to limiting the amplitude of the initial depolarization associated with entry into the depolarized state or to depolarizing episodes of short duration (e.g., < 50 ms). However, IKrp should limit the amplitude of membrane depolarizations associated with prolonged excursions into the depolarized state.


2003 ◽  
Vol 89 (4) ◽  
pp. 2101-2111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvana Franceschetti ◽  
Tatiana Lavazza ◽  
Giulia Curia ◽  
Patrizia Aracri ◽  
Ferruccio Panzica ◽  
...  

The ionic mechanisms underlying the termination of action-potential (AP) bursts and postburst afterhyperpolarization (AHP) in intrinsically bursting (IB) neocortical neurons were investigated by performing intracellular recordings in thin slices of rat sensorimotor cortex. The blockade of Ca2+-activated K+currents enhanced postburst depolarizing afterpotentials, but had inconsistent and minor effects on the amplitude and duration of AHPs. On the contrary, experimental conditions resulting in reduction of voltage-dependent Na+ entry into the cells caused a significant decrease of AHP amplitude. Slice perfusion with a modified artificial cerebrospinal fluid in which LiCl (40 mM) partially replaced NaCl had negligible effects on the properties of individual APs, whereas it consistently increased burst length and led to an approximately 30% reduction in the amplitude of AHPs following individual bursts or short trains of stimulus-induced APs. Experiments performed by partially replacing Na+ ions with choline revealed a comparable reduction in AHP amplitude associated with an inhibition of bursting activity. Moreover, in voltage-clamp experiments carried out in both in situ and acutely isolated neurons, partial substitution of extracellular NaCl with LiCl significantly and reversibly reduced the amplitude of K+ currents evoked by depolarizing stimuli above-threshold for Na+-current activation. The above effect of Na+-to-Li+substitution was not seen when voltage-gated Na+ currents were blocked with TTX, indicating the presence of a specific K+-current component activated by voltage-dependent Na+ (but not Li+) influx. The above findings suggest that a Na+-activated K+ current recruited by the Na+ entry secondary to burst discharge significantly contributes to AHP generation and the maintenance of rhythmic burst recurrence during sustained depolarizations in neocortical IB neurons.


1992 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 171-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikolaus J. Sucher ◽  
Stuart A. Lipton

AbstractThe whole-cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique was used to study voltage-gated K+ conductances in retinal ganglion cells from postnatal rat. Retinal ganglion cells were fluorescently labeled in situ, dissociated from the retina, and maintained in culture. With physiological solutions in the bath and the pipette, depolarizing voltage steps from physiological holding potentials activated Na+-(INa), Ca2+ (ICa), and K+ -currents studied previously in retinal ganglion cells. Here we report on a slowly decaying K+ current, not heretofore reported in rat. With 4-AP, TEA, and Co2+ in the bath, to block IA, IK, and IK(Ca), respectively, a slowly decaying outward current was activated from —80 mV by steps positive to —40 mV. This current was present in 92% of all ganglion cells tested (n = 83). It activated within 10 ms and inactivated with a voltage-independent time constant of about 70 ms at 35°C. Inactivation was voltage-dependent, half-maximal at —55 mV, and almost complete at 0 mV. The current was blocked by internal Cs+ and TEA, or by external application of 1 mM Ba2+, but not by 3 mM extracellular Co2+. The biophysical and pharmacological properties of this current are distinctly different from those of slowly inactivating K+ currents studied in other rat neurons. It was very similar, however, to a slowly inactivating K+ current previously reported in ganglion cells of tiger salamander retina. This last finding indicates conservation of a defined K+ channel type in functionally related cells in both lower vertebrates and mammals.


1989 ◽  
Vol 93 (2) ◽  
pp. 343-364 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y Sugawara ◽  
S Obara

The tonic electroreceptors of the marine catfish Plotosus consist of a cluster of ampullae of sensory epithelia, each of which is an isolated receptor unit that is attached to the distant skin with only a long duct. The single-cell layered sensory epithelium has pear-shaped receptor cells interspersed with thin processes of supporting cells. The apical border of the receptor cells is joined to the supporting cells with junctional complexes. Single ampullae were excised and electrically isolated by an air gap. Receptor responses were recorded as epithelial current under voltage clamp, and postsynaptic potentials (PSP) were recorded externally from the afferent nerve in the presence of tetrodotoxin. The ampulla showed a DC potential of -19.2 +/- 6.5 mV (mean +/- SD, n = 18), and an input resistance of 697 +/- 263 K omega (n = 21). Positive voltage steps evoked inward currents with two peaks and a positive dip, associated with PSPs. The apical membrane proved to be inactive. The inward current was ascribed to Ca current, and the positive dip to Ca-gated transient K current, bot in the basal membrane of receptor cells. The Ca channels proved to have ionic selectivity in the order of Sr2+ greater than Ca2+ greater than Ba2+, and presumably they also passed outward current nonselectively. Double-pulse experiments further revealed a current-dependent inactivation for a part of the Ca current.


1984 ◽  
Vol 84 (6) ◽  
pp. 861-875 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Ruben ◽  
S Thompson

Recovery from K current inactivation was studied in molluscan neurons using two-microelectrode and internal perfusion voltage clamps. Experiments were designed to study the voltage-dependent delayed outward current (IK) without contamination from other K currents. The amount of recovery from inactivation and the rate of recovery increase dramatically when the membrane potential is made more negative. The time course of recovery at the resting potential, -40 mV, is well fit by a single exponential with a time constant of 24.5 s (n = 7). At more negative voltages, the time course is best fit by the sum of two exponentials with time constants at -90 mV of 1.7 and 9.8 s (n = 7). In unclamped cells, a short hyperpolarization can cause rapid recovery from inactivation that results in a shortening of the action potential duration. We conclude that there are two inactivated states of the channel and that the time constants for recovery from both states are voltage dependent. The results are discussed in terms of the multistate model for K channel gating that was developed by R. N. Aldrich (1981, Biophys. J., 36:519-532).


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