Unique temperature-activated neurons from pit viper thermosensors

2004 ◽  
Vol 287 (5) ◽  
pp. C1219-C1228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd C. Pappas ◽  
Massoud Motamedi ◽  
Burgess N. Christensen
Keyword(s):  
Outward Current ◽  
Cell Voltage ◽  
Monovalent Cation ◽  
Temperature Threshold ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Molecular Events ◽  
Electrophysiological Responses ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
Ion Substitution ◽  
Diamondback Rattlesnake

Rattlesnakes, copperheads, and other pit vipers have highly sensitive heat detectors known as pit organs, which are used to sense and strike at prey. However, it is not currently known how temperature change triggers cellular and molecular events that activate neurons supplying the pit organ. We dissociated and cultured neurons from the trigeminal ganglia (TG) innervating the pit organs of the Western Diamondback rattlesnake ( Crotalus atrox) and the copperhead ( Agkistrodon contortix) to investigate electrophysiological responses to thermal stimuli. Whole cell voltage-clamp recordings indicated that 75% of the TG neurons from C. atrox and 74% of the TG neurons from A. contortix showed a unique temperature-activated inward current ( IΔT). We also found an IΔT-like current in 15% of TG neurons from the common garter snake, a species that does not have a specialized heat-sensing organ. A steep rise in the current-temperature relationship of IΔT started just below 18°C, and cooling temperature-responsive TG neurons from 20°C resulted in an outward current, suggesting that IΔT is on at relatively low temperatures. Ion substitution and Ca2+ imaging experiments indicated that IΔT is primarily a monovalent cation current. IΔT was not sensitive to capsaicin or amiloride, suggesting that the current did not show similar pharmacology to other mammalian heat-sensitive membrane proteins. Our findings indicate that a novel temperature-sensitive conductance with unique ion permeability and low-temperature threshold is expressed in TG neurons and may be involved in highly sensitive heat detection in snakes.

scholarly journals Patch Clamp: A Powerful Technique for Studying the Mechanism of Acupuncture

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
D. Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Patch Clamp ◽  
Powerful Method ◽  
Patch Clamp Technique ◽  
Powerful Technique ◽  
Molecular Events ◽  
Electrophysiological Responses ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Patch Clamp Method

Cellular and molecular events can be investigated using electrophysiological techniques. In particular, the patch-clamp method provides detailed information. In addition, the patch-clamp technique has become a powerful method for investigating the mechanisms underlying the effects of acupuncture. In this paper, recent researches on how acupuncture might modulate electrophysiological responses in the central nervous system (CNS) and affect peripheral structures are reviewed.

Membrane depolarization in PC-12 cells during hypoxia is regulated by an O2-sensitive K+ current

1996 ◽  
Vol 271 (2) ◽  
pp. C658-C665 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. H. Zhu ◽  
L. Conforti ◽  
M. F. Czyzyk-Krzeska ◽  
D. E. Millhorn
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Reversal Potential ◽  
Outward Current ◽  
Cell Voltage ◽  
Membrane Depolarization ◽  
Resting Membrane Potential ◽  
Current Clamp ◽  
Pc 12 Cells ◽  
Current Voltage ◽  
K Current

The effects of hypoxia on K+ current (IK), resting membrane potential, and cytosolic free Ca2+ in rat pheochromocytoma (PC-12) cells were studied. Whole cell voltage- and current-clamp experiments were performed to measure IK and membrane potential, respectively. Cytosolic free Ca2+ level was measured using the Ca(2+)-sensitive fluorescent dye fura 2. Depolarizing voltage steps to +50 mV from a holding potential of -90 mV elicited a slowly inactivating, tetraethylammonium chloride-sensitive, and Ca(2+)-insensitive IK that was reversibly inhibited by reduced O2 tension. Graded reduction in PO2 (from 150 to 0 mmHg) induced a graded inhibition of O2-sensitive IK [IK(O2)] up to 46% at 0 mmHg. Moreover, hypoxia induced a 19-mV membrane depolarization and a twofold increase in cytosolic free Ca2+. In Ca(2+)-free condition, inhibition of IK(O2) induced an 8-mV depolarization, suggesting that inhibition of IK(O2) was responsible for initiating depolarization. The effect of reduced PO2 on the current-voltage relationship showed a reduction of outward current and a 14-mV shift in the reversal potential comparable with the amount of depolarization measured in current clamp experiments. Neither Ca(2+)-activated IK nor inwardly rectifying IK are responsible for the hypoxia-induced depolarization. In conclusion, PC-12 cells express an IK(O2), inhibition of which leads to membrane depolarization and increased intracellular Ca2+, making the PC-12 clonal cell line a useful model for studying the molecular and biophysical mechanisms that mediate O2 chemosensitivity.

Transient outward current in catecholamine-induced cardiac hypertrophy in the rat

1996 ◽  
Vol 271 (6) ◽  
pp. H2360-H2367 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Meszaros ◽  
K. O. Ryder ◽  
G. Hart
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Hypertrophy ◽  
Weight Ratio ◽  
Outward Current ◽  
Cell Voltage ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Daily Injection ◽  
Heart Weight ◽  
Inactivation Kinetics ◽  
Transient Outward Current

We have demonstrated that a daily injection of isoproterenol (5 mg/kg ip) for 7 days induces a 30% increment in heart weight-to-body weight ratio and prolongs the action potential duration (APD) in male Wistar rats. The underlying mechanism of the prolonged APD was investigated in this model of hypertrophy by measuring the transient outward potassium current (Ito) in left ventricular myocytes of the rat with whole cell voltage-clamp techniques. Cell membrane capacitance was increased by 39%: 122 +/- 3 (n = 23) and 171 +/- 5 (SE) pF (n = 20) in control and hypertrophy, respectively (P < 0.001). Ito was evoked in sodium-free solutions containing 0.5 mM Ca2+ and 2 mM Co2+ by step depolarizations from a holding potential of -80 mV. The amplitude of the 4-aminopyridine-sensitive Ito (at 70 mV) was reduced by 28% in hypertrophy: 3.2 +/- 0.3 (n = 23) and 2.3 +/- 0.4 (SE) nA (n = 20) in control and hypertrophy, respectively (P < 0.05). When normalized for cell capacitance, the reduction was much larger: 26.4 +/- 2.5 and 13.1 +/- 1.8 pA/pF in control and hypertrophy, respectively (P < 0.001). The voltage dependence of Ito was similar in both cell types. No change was observed in the steady-state activation and inactivation kinetics in the two groups, nor was there a change in the time dependence of inactivation. The recovery from inactivation of Ito when fitted with a monoexponential function was not changed significantly in hypertrophy: time constants = 8.2 +/- 0.4 (n = 13) and 8.3 +/- 0.3 ms (n = 12) in control and hypertrophy, respectively. These results show that Ito density is decreased in catecholamine-induced cardiac hypertrophy, but current kinetics are not affected. The reduced Ito density may underlie the prolongation of APD in this model of hypertrophy.

Developmental Regulation of Whole Cell Capacitance and Membrane Current in Identified Interneurons in C. elegans

2006 ◽  
Vol 95 (6) ◽  
pp. 3665-3673 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serge Faumont ◽  
Thomas Boulin ◽  
Oliver Hobert ◽  
Shawn R. Lockery
Keyword(s):  
Time Course ◽  
Homeobox Gene ◽  
Outward Current ◽  
Cell Voltage ◽  
Membrane Current ◽  
Immunoglobulin Superfamily ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Whole Cell ◽  
Steady State Current ◽  
Cell Capacitance

Postembryonic developmental changes in electrophysiological properties of the AIY interneuron class were investigated using whole cell voltage clamp. AIY interneurons displayed an increase in cell capacitance during larval development, whereas steady-state current amplitude did not increase. The time course of the outward membrane current, carried at least in part by K+ ions, matured, from a slowly activating, sustained current to a rapidly activating, decaying current. We also investigated how the development of capacitance and outward current was altered by loss-of-function mutations in genes expressed in AIY. One such gene, the LIM homeobox gene ttx-3, is known to be involved in the specification of the AIY neuronal subtype. In ttx-3 mutants, capacitance and outward current matured precociously. In mutants of the gene wrk-1, an immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF) member whose expression is regulated by ttx-3, capacitance matured normally, whereas outward current matured precociously. We conclude that AIY interneurons contain distinct pathways for regulating capacitance and membrane current.

Role of chloride currents in repolarizing rabbit atrial myocytes

1995 ◽  
Vol 268 (5) ◽  
pp. H1992-H2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. Wang ◽  
B. Fermini ◽  
J. Feng ◽  
S. Nattel
Keyword(s):  
Action Potential ◽  
Reversal Potential ◽  
Outward Current ◽  
Cell Voltage ◽  
Disulfonic Acid ◽  
Transient Outward Current ◽  
Atrial Myocytes ◽  
Atrial Cells ◽  
K Current

Rabbit atrial cells manifest a prominent transient outward K+ current (Ito1), but this current recovers slowly from inactivation and is unlikely to be important at physiological rates (3-5 Hz). Depolarization of rabbit atrial cells also elicits a transient Ca(2+)-dependent outward Cl- current (Ito2). To compare the relative magnitude of these transient outward currents at various rates, we applied whole cell voltage-clamp techniques to isolated rabbit atrial myocytes. Whereas peak Ito1 exceeded Ito2 at slow rates (0.1 Hz), Ito1 was strongly reduced as rate was increased (by 97 +/- 2%, mean +/- SE, at 4 Hz), while Ito2 was slightly reduced (by 28 +/- 4%, 4 Hz). The reversal potential of transient outward tail currents at 0.07 Hz was -49 +/- 9 mV, while at 2.5 Hz the reversal potential became -18 +/- 7 mV (calculated Cl- reversal potential -18 mV). The addition of the Cl- transport blocker 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS; 150 microM) or the replacement of external Cl- with methanesulfonate inhibited a large part of the transient outward current elicited by depolarization at 4 Hz. DIDS and Cl- replacement increased action potential duration in both single rabbit atrial cells and multicellular rabbit atrial preparations. We conclude that the Ca(2+)-dependent Cl- current is substantially larger than the transient K+ current at physiological rates in the rabbit and is likely to play a more important role in action potential repolarization than the latter current in this tissue in vivo.

Delayed rectifier K+ current in rabbit atrial myocytes

1995 ◽  
Vol 269 (2) ◽  
pp. H524-H532 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Muraki ◽  
Y. Imaizumi ◽  
M. Watanabe ◽  
Y. Habuchi ◽  
W. R. Giles
Keyword(s):  
Maximum Amplitude ◽  
Outward Current ◽  
Cell Voltage ◽  
Inward Rectification ◽  
Resting Membrane Potential ◽  
Delayed Rectifier ◽  
Wave Form ◽  
Class Iii ◽  
Atrial Myocytes ◽  
K Current

The role of delayed rectifier K+ current(s) (IK) in rabbit left atrium was examined by applying the whole cell voltage-clamp technique to isolated single myocytes. Right-triangular waveforms, which mimic the shape of atrial action potentials (APs), and selective blockers were used to compare the contribution of IK with other K+ currents to repolarization of the APs. IK measured at 34 degrees C in atrial myocytes was very small; the maximum peak amplitude of the tail current (IK,tail) at -40 mV was approximately 50 pA. The IK,tail was almost abolished in most cells (approximately 80%) by the application of 1 microM E-4031, a class III antiarrhythmic drug. The E-4031-sensitive current recorded with the triangular command wave-form showed strong inward rectification and had a maximum amplitude of approximately 30 pA at -40 mV. Total outward current elicited by triangular command pulses depended strongly on stimulation frequency. The main frequency-dependent component was a Ca(2+)-independent transient K+ current (I(t)). I(t) elicited by triangular pulses at 1 Hz was substantially reduced by 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) at potentials positive to 0 mV but was not changed significantly by 1 microM E-4031; 100 microM E-4031 reduced I(t) by approximately 30%. The shape of the APs which were recorded from a single rabbit atrial cell strongly depended on the pulse frequency. Application of 1 microM E-4031 increased action potential duration (APD) in > 50% of cells examined but had little effect on the resting membrane potential (RMP). Application of 0.1 mM BaCl2 also lengthened APD and reduced RMP by approximately 20 mV.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

scholarly journals Establishment of a Temperature-Sensitive Model of Oncogene-Induced Senescence in Angiosarcoma Cells

Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 395
Author(s):  
Adilson da Costa ◽  
Michael Y. Bonner ◽  
Shikha Rao ◽  
Linda Gilbert ◽  
Maiko Sasaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skin Lesions ◽  
T Antigen ◽  
Driver Mutations ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Large T Antigen ◽  
Molecular Events ◽  
Vascular Proliferation ◽  
Common Skin ◽  
Seborrheic Keratoses ◽  
Notch Activation

Lesions with driver mutations, including atypical nevi and seborrheic keratoses, are very common in dermatology, and are prone to senescence. The molecular events that prevent senescent lesions from becoming malignant are not well understood. We have developed a model of vascular proliferation using a temperature-sensitive, large T antigen and oncogenic HRas. By elevating the temperature to 39 °C, we can turn off large T antigen and study the molecular events in cells with the Ras driver mutation. To assess the signaling events associated with the switch from a proliferative to a nonproliferative state in the constant presence of a driver oncogene, SVR cells were cultivated for 24 and 48 h and compared with SVR cells at 37 °C. Cells were evaluated by Western Blot (WB) gene chip microarray (GC) and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Upon evaluation, a novel phenotype was observed in endothelial cells after switching off the large T antigen. This phenotype was characterized by Notch activation, downregulation of p38 phosphorylation, downregulation of the master immune switch IRF7, and downregulation of hnRNP A0. Switching off proliferative signaling may result in immune privilege and Notch activation, which may account, in part, for the survival of common skin lesions.

scholarly journals Lipopolysaccharide prolongs action potential duration in HL-1 mouse cardiomyocytes

2012 ◽  
Vol 303 (8) ◽  
pp. C825-C833 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Wondergem ◽  
Bridget M. Graves ◽  
Chuanfu Li ◽  
David L. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Action Potential ◽  
Action Potential Duration ◽  
Salmonella Enteritidis ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Outward Current ◽  
Cell Voltage ◽  
Delayed Rectifier ◽  
Maximal Effect ◽  
Cellular Mechanisms ◽  
Whole Cell

Sepsis has deleterious effects on cardiac function including reduced contractility. We have shown previously that lipopolysaccharides (LPS) directly affect HL-1 cardiac myocytes by inhibiting Ca2+ regulation and by impairing pacemaker “funny” current, If. We now explore further cellular mechanisms whereby LPS inhibits excitability in HL-1 cells. LPS (1 μg/ml) derived from Salmonella enteritidis decreased rate of firing of spontaneous action potentials in HL-1 cells, and it increased their pacemaker potential durations and decreased their rates of depolarization, all measured by whole cell current clamp. LPS also increased action potential durations and decreased their amplitude in cells paced at 1 Hz with 0.1 nA, and 20 min were necessary for maximal effect. LPS decreased the amplitude of a rapidly inactivating inward current attributed to Na+ and of an outward current attributed to K+; both were measured by whole cell voltage clamp. The K+ currents displayed a resurgent outward tail current, which is characteristic of the rapid delayed-rectifier K+ current, IKr. LPS accordingly reduced outward currents measured with pipette Cs+ substituted for K+ to isolate IKr. E-4031 (1 μM) markedly inhibited IKr in HL-1 cells and also increased action potential duration; however, the direct effects of E-4031 occurred minutes faster than the slow effects of LPS. We conclude that LPS increases action potential duration in HL-1 mouse cardiomyocytes by inhibition of IKr and decreases their rate of firing by inhibition of INa. This protracted time course points toward an intermediary metabolic event, which either decreases available mouse ether-a-go-go (mERG) and Na+ channels or potentiates their inactivation.

scholarly journals A selective 5-HT1a receptor agonist improves respiration in a mouse model of Rett syndrome

2013 ◽  
Vol 115 (11) ◽  
pp. 1626-1633 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erica S. Levitt ◽  
Barbara J. Hunnicutt ◽  
Sharon J. Knopp ◽  
John T. Williams ◽  
John M. Bissonnette
Keyword(s):  
Rett Syndrome ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Glutamate Release ◽  
Outward Current ◽  
Cell Voltage ◽  
Equilibrium Potential ◽  
Maximal Effect ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Male Mice ◽  
Loss Of Function

Rett syndrome is a neurological disorder caused by loss of function mutations in the gene that encodes the DNA binding protein methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (Mecp2). A prominent feature of the syndrome is disturbances in respiration characterized by frequent apnea and an irregular interbreath cycle. 8-Hydroxy-2-dipropylaminotetralin has been shown to positively modulate these disturbances (Abdala AP, Dutschmann M, Bissonnette JM, Paton JF, Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 107: 18208–18213, 2010), but the mode of action is not understood. Here we show that the selective 5-HT1a biased agonist 3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl-(4-fluoro-4-{[(5-methylpyrimidin-2-ylmethyl)-amino]-methyl}-piperidin-1-yl)-methanone (F15599) decreases apnea and corrects irregularity in both heterozygous Mecp2-deficient female and in Mecp2 null male mice. In whole cell voltage-clamp recordings from dorsal raphe neurons, F15599 potently induced an outward current, which was blocked by barium, reversed at the potassium equilibrium potential, and was antagonized by the 5-HT1a antagonist WAY100135. This is consistent with somatodendritic 5-HT1a receptor-mediated activation of G protein-coupled inwardly rectifying potassium channels (GIRK). In contrast, F15599 did not activate 5-HT1b/d receptors that mediate inhibition of glutamate release from terminals in the nucleus accumbens by a presynaptic mechanism. Thus F15599 activated somatodendritic 5-HT1a autoreceptors, but not axonal 5-HT1b/d receptors. In unanesthetized Mecp2-deficient heterozygous female mice, F15599 reduced apnea in a dose-dependent manner with maximal effect of 74.5 ± 6.9% at 0.1 mg/kg and improved breath irrregularity. Similarly, in Mecp2 null male mice, apnea was reduced by 62 ± 6.6% at 0.25 mg/kg, and breathing became regular. The results indicate respiration is improved with a 5-HT1a agonist that activates GIRK channels without affecting neurotransmitter release.

Characterization of macroscopic outward currents of canine colonic myocytes

1989 ◽  
Vol 257 (3) ◽  
pp. C461-C469 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. C. Cole ◽  
K. M. Sanders
Keyword(s):  
Outward Current ◽  
Cell Voltage ◽  
Muscle Cells ◽  
Time Dependent ◽  
Delayed Rectifier ◽  
Delayed Rectifier Current ◽  
Outward Currents ◽  
Voltage Dependent ◽  
K Current ◽  
Time Courses

Outward currents of colonic smooth muscle cells were characterized by the whole cell voltage-clamp method. Four components of outward current were identified: a time-independent and three time-dependent components. The time-dependent current showed strong outward rectification positive to -25 mV and was blocked by tetraethylammonium. The time-dependent components were separated on the basis of their time courses, voltage dependence, and pharmacological sensitivities. They are as follows. 1) A Ca2+-activated K current sensitive to external Ca2+ and Ca2+ influx was blocked by ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (0.1 X 10(-3) M) and nifedipine (1 X 10(-6) and was increased by elevated Ca2+ (8 X 10(-6) M) and BAY K 8644 (1 X 10(-6) M). 2) A "delayed rectifier" current was observed that decayed slowly with time and showed no voltage-dependent inactivation. 3) Spontaneous transient outward currents that were blocked by ryanodine (2 X 10(-6) M) were also recorded. The possible contributions of these currents to the electrical activity of colonic muscle cells in situ are discussed. Ca2+-activated K current may contribute a significant conductance to the repolarizing phase of electrical slow waves.

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