Potassium distribution and membrane potential of sensory neurons in the leech nervous system

1984 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 689-704 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. R. Schlue ◽  
J. W. Deitmer
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Sensory Neurons ◽  
Membrane Resistance ◽  
Equilibrium Potential ◽  
Bathing Medium ◽  
Membrane Hyperpolarization ◽  
K Concentration ◽  
Intracellular K Activity ◽  
K Activity

The intracellular K activity (aKi) and membrane potential of sensory neurons in the leech central nervous system were measured in normal and altered external K+ concentrations, [K+]o, using double-barreled, liquid ion-exchanger microelectrodes. In control experiments membrane potential measurements were made using potassium chloride-filled single-barreled microelectrodes. All values are means +/- SD. At the normal [K+]o (4 mM) the mean aKi of all cells tested was 72.6 +/- 10.6 mM (n = 40) and the average membrane potential was -47.3 +/- 5.2 mM (n = 40). When measured with single-barreled microelectrodes, the membrane potential averaged -45.3 +/- 2.9 mV (n = 12). Assuming an intracellular K+ activity coefficient of 0.75, the intracellular K+ concentration of sensory neurons would be 96.8 +/- 14.1 mM). With an extracellular K+ concentration of 5.8 mM in the intact ganglion compared to the K+ concentration of 4 mM in the bath, the K+ equilibrium potential was -71.5 mV. When the ganglion capsule was opened, the extracellular K+ concentrations in the ganglion were similar to that of the bathing medium and the calculated K+ equilibrium potential was -81 mV. The membrane of sensory neurons depolarized following the changes to elevated [K+]o (greater than or equal to 10-100 mM), whereas aKi changed only little or not at all. At very low [K+]o (0.2, 0 mM) aKi and membrane potential showed little short-term (less than 3 min) effect but began to change after longer exposure (greater than 3 min). Reduction of [K+]o from 4 to 0.2 mM (or 0 mM) produced first a slow, and then a more rapid decrease of aKi and membrane resistance, accompanied by a slow membrane hyperpolarization. Following readdition of normal [K+]o, the membrane first depolarized and then transiently hyperpolarized, eventually returning slowly to the normal membrane potential.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

scholarly journals The effect of extracellular potassium on the intracellular potassium ion activity and transmembrane potentials of beating canine cardiac Purkinje fibers.

1977 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 463-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
D S Miura ◽  
B F Hoffman ◽  
M R Rosen
Keyword(s):  
Equilibrium Potential ◽  
Extracellular Potassium ◽  
Purkinje Fibers ◽  
Transmembrane Potentials ◽  
Cardiac Purkinje Fibers ◽  
K Concentration ◽  
Range Of Values ◽  
Intracellular K Activity ◽  
Liquid Ion Exchanger ◽  
K Activity

We used open tip microelectrodes containing a K+-sensitive liquid ion exchanger to determine directly the intracellular K+ activity in beating canine cardiac Purkinje fibers. For preparations superfused with Tyrode's solution in which the K+ concentration was 4.0 mM, intracellular K+ activity (ak) was 130.0+/-2.3 mM (mean+/-SE) at 37 degrees C. The calculated K+ equilibrium potential (EK) was -100.6+/-0.5 mV. Maximum diastolic potential (ED) and resting transmembrane potential (EM) were measured with conventional microelectrodes filled with 3 M KCl and were -90.6+/-0.3 and -84.4+/-0.4 mV, respectively. When [K+]o was decreased to 2.0 mM or increased to 6.0, 10.0, and 16.0 mM, ak remained the same. At [K+]o=2.0, ED was -97.3+/-0.4 and Em -86.0+/-0.7 mV; at [K+]o=16.0, ED fell to -53.8+/-0.4 mV and Em to the same value. Over this range of values for [K+]o, EK changed from -119.0+/-0.3 to -63.6+/-0.2 mV. These values for EK are consistent with those previously estimated indirectly by other techniques.

Measurements of the Intracellular Potassium Activity of Retzius Cells in the Leech Central Nervous System

1981 ◽  
Vol 91 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-101
Author(s):  
JOACHIM W. DEITMER ◽  
WOLF R. SCHLUE
Keyword(s):  
Cell Membrane ◽  
External Solution ◽  
Equilibrium Potential ◽  
The Mean ◽  
K Concentration ◽  
Retzius Cells ◽  
Intracellular K Activity ◽  
K Permeability ◽  
K Activity ◽  
External K

The intracellular K activity of leech Retzius cells was measured using double-barrelled, liquid ion exchanger, microelectrodes. At the normal external K+ concentration of 4 mm (equivalent to 3 mm-K activity, assuming an activity coefficient of 0.75) the mean K activity was 101.3 ± 7.6 mm (S.D., n = 14) in the cell bodies, and 4.35 ± 0.4 mV (n = 27) in the extracellular spaces surrounding them, indicating a K+ equilibrium potential of - 80 mV. The mean membrane potential was - 43.6 + 4.9 mV (n = 14). In a K-free external solution, or in the presence of 5 × 10−4m-ouabain, the intracellular K activity decreased by up to 14 mm min−1. This indicates an efflux of K+ ions across the cell membrane of approximately 2 × 10−10 mol cm−2s, and an apparent K+ permeability coefficient of 8 × 10−8 cms−1. The cell membrane depolarized upon removal of K+ and upon addition of ouabain, and transiently hyperpolarized beyond its initial level on return to the normal external K+ concentration. The recovery from this hyperpolarization paralleled the increase of the intracellular K activity following the re-addition of K+. Our results suggest that, despite the high K+ permeability of the Retzius cell membrane, the intracellular K activity is maintained at a high level by an electrogenic pump.

scholarly journals Intracellular K+ activity and its relation to basolateral membrane ion transport in Necturus gallbladder epithelium.

1980 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Reuss ◽  
S A Weinman ◽  
T P Grady
Keyword(s):  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Amphotericin B ◽  
Basolateral Membrane ◽  
Membrane Potentials ◽  
Equilibrium Potential ◽  
Gallbladder Epithelium ◽  
Bathing Medium ◽  
Necturus Gallbladder ◽  
Intracellular K Activity ◽  
K Activity

A study of the mechanisms of the effects of amphotericin B and ouabain on cell membrane and transepithelial potentials and intracellular K activity (alpha Ki) of Necturus gallbladder epithelium was undertaken with conventional and K-selective intracellular microelectrode techniques. Amphotericin B produced a mucosa-negative change of transepithelial potential (Vms) and depolarization of both apical and basolateral membranes. Rapid fall of alpha Ki was also observed, with the consequent reduction of the K equilibrium potential (EK) across both the apical and the basolateral membrane. It was also shown that, unless the mucosal bathing medium is rapidly exchanged, K accumulates in the unstirred fluid layers near the luminal membrane generating a paracellular K diffusion potential, which contributes to the Vms change. Exposure to ouabain resulted in a slow decrease of alpha Ki and slow depolarization of both cell membranes. Cell membrane potentials and alpha Ki could be partially restored by a brief (3-4 min) mucosal substitution of K for Na. Under all experimental conditions (control, amphotericin B, and ouabain), EK at the basolateral membrane was larger than the basolateral membrane equivalent emf (Eb). Therefore, the K chemical potential difference appears to account for Eb and the magnitude of the cell membrane potentials, without the need to postulate an electrogenic Na pump. Comparison of the rate of Na transport across the tissue with the electrodiffusional K flux across the basolateral membrane indicates that maintenance of a steady-state alpha Ki cannot be explained by a simple Na,K pump-K leak model. It is suggested that either a NaCl pump operates in parallel with the Na,K pump, or that a KCl downhill neutral extrusion mechanism exists in addition to the electrodiffusional K pathway.

Effects of ouabain on intracellular ion activities of sensory neurons of the leech central nervous system

1991 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
pp. 736-746 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. R. Schlue
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Input Resistance ◽  
Membrane Resistance ◽  
Membrane Potential Change ◽  
Intracellular Na Activity ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
Intracellular Ion Activities ◽  
Ion Activities ◽  
K Concentration

1. The intracellular K+, Na+, and Ca2+ of mechanosensory neurons in the central nervous system of the leech Hirudo medicinalis was measured using double-barreled ion-sensitive microelectrodes. 2. After inhibition of the Na(+)-K+ pump with 5 x 10(-4) M ouabain, the intracellular K+ activity (aKi) decreased, while the intracellular Na+ activity (aNai) increased. The input resistance decreased in the presence of ouabain. The intracellular Ca2+ increased more than one order of magnitude after ouabain addition. All changes in intracellular ion activities and membrane resistance were fully reversible. 3. When extracellular Na+ concentration ([Na+]o) was removed [replaced by tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (Tris)], aNai decreased. In the absence of [Na+]o, aKi and aNai remained unchanged after inhibition of the Na(+)-K+ pump by reducing the extracellular K+ concentration ([K+]o) to 0.2 mM. The membrane resistance increased under these conditions. 4. The intracellular Ca2+ decreased or remained constant after removal of [Na+]o. Addition of ouabain in the absence of [Na+]o did not change intracellular Ca2+, which only increased after readdition of [Na+]o. 5. The relative K+ permeability (PK) measured as membrane potential change during a brief increase of the [K+]o from 4 to 10 mM, increased manyfold after addition of ouabain but only little if [Na+]o had been removed before adding ouabain. 6. The results suggest that the intracellular Na+ increase after inhibition of the Na(+)-K+ pump affects the intracellular Ca2+ level by stimulating a Nai(+)-Ca2+ exchange mechanism. The subsequent intracellular Ca2+ activity (aCai) rise may result in an increase of the membrane permeability to K+ ions.

Association between HCO3(-) absorption and K+ uptake by Amphiuma jejunum: relations among HCO3(-) absorption, luminal K+, and intracellular K+ activity

1984 ◽  
Vol 246 (6) ◽  
pp. G732-G744
Author(s):  
M. A. Imon ◽  
J. F. White
Keyword(s):  
Short Circuit ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Uptake Mechanism ◽  
Bathing Medium ◽  
The Media ◽  
Absorptive Flux ◽  
Free Media ◽  
Intracellular K Activity ◽  
K Activity

Titration techniques and K+- sensitive microelectrodes have been used to investigate the relations among HCO3(-) absorption, luminal K+, and intracellular K+ activity in in vitro Amphiuma jejunum. The HCO3(-) absorptive flux (JHCO3(-] measured by pH-stat under short circuit was reduced by removal of K+ from the medium but not by replacement of Na+ with choline. JHCO3(-) exhibited a seasonal variation when K+ was absent from the media and was increased to a maximum when K+ equaled 5 mM. Addition of K+ to a K+-free luminal medium stimulated JHCO3(-) much more than addition to the serosal medium. Acetazolamide (10(-4) M) blocked K+-stimulated HCO3(-) absorption while benzolamide reduced the short-circuit current associated with HCO3(-) absorption much more rapidly when added to the mucosal bathing medium. Intracellular K+ activity (aik) and mucosal membrane potential (psi m) of jejunal villus cells were measured with double-barreled microelectrodes. When bathed bilaterally with HCO3(-)-containing media, K+ was actively accumulated for many hours (aik = 58.5 mM) but in the presence of ouabain fell to equilibrium (16 mM) after 2 h. In contrast, when HCO3(-) absorption was induced by removal of serosal HCO3(-), aik was elevated to 83.6 mM and, after 4-h exposure to ouabain cell K+, remained far above electrochemical equilibrium at 33 mM. Tissues bathed in Na+-free (Tris) media containing ouabain retained cell K+ after 4 h at even higher levels (46 mM). Cell K+ activity was reduced by removal of K+ from either the mucosal or serosal medium. Acetazolamide reduced aik over 2 h in Na+-free media from 66 to 42 mM. The decline in aik was associated with a concomitant decline in the HCO3(-) absorptive current. It is concluded that K+ is actively accumulated across both luminal and serosal membranes of the jejunal absorptive cell and that the luminal uptake mechanism is linked to HCO3(-) absorption or an equivalent process.

TRH-induced membrane hyperpolarization in rat clonal anterior pituitary cells

1985 ◽  
Vol 248 (1) ◽  
pp. E64-E69
Author(s):  
S. Ozawa
Keyword(s):  
Reversal Potential ◽  
Membrane Conductance ◽  
Gh3 Cells ◽  
Ionophore A23187 ◽  
Pituitary Cells ◽  
Bathing Medium ◽  
Membrane Hyperpolarization ◽  
K Concentration ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Reversal Potentials

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) induces biphasic membrane potential changes, a transient hyperpolarization followed by a prolonged enhancement of the generation of action potentials in the clonal GH3 pituitary cell. The nature of the TRH-induced hyperpolarization was studied in Cl--free solutions. Among various test substances, only TRH and its analogue, which stimulates the release of prolactin from the GH3 cells, were capable of inducing the transient membrane hyperpolarization. The Ca2+ ionophore A23187 also caused a transient hyperpolarization accompanied by an increase in the membrane conductance, although it failed to mimic the late facilitation of spike generation. The reversal potential of the TRH-induced hyperpolarization was identical with that induced by A23187. Reduction of the K+ concentration of the bathing medium caused a similar shift of both these reversal potentials toward a more hyperpolarized level. Injection of the Ca2+-chelator EGTA into the cell suppressed both TRH and Ca2+ ionophore-induced hyperpolarizations. These results suggest that TRH mobilizes the cellular-bound Ca, which in turn activates Ca2+-mediated K+ channels, thus causing the transient membrane hyperpolarization. The relationship between the membrane hyperpolarization and the TRH-stimulated hormone release is discussed.

Transepithelial and intracellular potentials in isolated Malpighian tubules of tenebrionid beetle

1987 ◽  
Vol 252 (4) ◽  
pp. F645-F653 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. W. Nicolson ◽  
L. C. Isaacson
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Basal Membrane ◽  
Fluid Secretion ◽  
Malpighian Tubules ◽  
Bathing Medium ◽  
Intracellular Potentials ◽  
Tenebrionid Beetle ◽  
Fold Reduction ◽  
K Concentration ◽  
Opposing Effects

Malpighian tubules of Onymacris plana (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) have been isolated for measurement of transepithelial and intracellular potentials, before and during stimulation of fluid secretion. In a bathing medium resembling the hemolymph composition of the insect, the transepithelial potential (VT) was approximately 13 mV, lumen positive. VT was subject to drift and frequently showed super-imposed regular oscillations, which were apparently action potentials associated with contractions of muscle fibers running along the tubules. Although tubules of Onymacris are approximately 8 cm long, the basal membrane potential (Vb) did not vary with distance along the tubule, averaging -31 mV. Addition of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) or diuretic hormone (DH) homogenate to the bathing medium had no effect on Vb, but opposing effects on VT: cAMP caused it to increase to 60 mV, whereas DH homogenate caused a rapid drop in VT to almost zero. Ion substitutions in the bathing medium showed that under control conditions beetle tubules possessed appreciable basal permeability to both K and Cl ions, with a 10-fold reduction in bath K concentration hyperpolarizing Vb by 54 mV. The basal K and Cl channels were partially blocked by barium and thiocyanate ions, respectively. Stimulation with cAMP increased the apical membrane potential (Va) and significantly reduced the Cl permeability of the basal membrane, whereas its Na permeability remained negligible.

Effect of membrane potential on cytosolic calcium of bovine aortic endothelial cells

1989 ◽  
Vol 257 (3) ◽  
pp. H778-H784 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. P. Schilling
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Cytosolic Calcium ◽  
Membrane Depolarization ◽  
K Channel ◽  
Membrane Hyperpolarization ◽  
Aortic Endothelial Cells ◽  
Bovine Aortic Endothelial Cells ◽  
K Concentration ◽  
Aortic Endothelial

The effect of bradykinin on membrane potential of cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) was estimated by measuring the uptake of the lipophilic cation, tetra[3H]phenylphosphonium ([3H]TPP+). Uptake of [3H]TPP+ was found to be 1) a function of extracellular K+ concentration, 2) sensitive to valinomycin, and 3) decreased by the K+ channel inhibitor, Ba2+, suggesting that the uptake of [3H]TPP+ responds to changes in membrane potential of the BAEC. Bradykinin (50 nM) produced an increase in [3H]TPP+ uptake in low K+ buffer consistent with a bradykinin-induced membrane hyperpolarization. The effect of membrane depolarization with high K+ buffer on the bradykinin-stimulated changes in cytosolic Ca2+ was determined using the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator, fura-2. The results of these experiments demonstrated that both basal cytosolic Ca2+ and bradykinin-stimulated release of Ca2+ from internal stores were not affected by membrane depolarization. However, bradykinin-stimulated influx of Ca2+ from the extracellular space decreased with membrane depolarization in a manner consistent with the movement of Ca2+ through a channel.

Mechanism of potassium uptake in neuropile glial cells in the central nervous system of the leech

1990 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
pp. 1089-1097 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. A. Wuttke
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Cell Volume ◽  
Normal Saline ◽  
Cell Swelling ◽  
Equilibrium Potential ◽  
K Uptake ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
The Mean ◽  
K Concentration

1. Ion-selective double-barreled microelectrodes (ISME) were used to measure intracellular K+ (aKi), Na+ (aNai), and Cl- (aCli) activities of neuropile glial (NG) cells in the central nervous system of the medicinal leech Hirudo medicinalis. Ion fluxes were induced by an increase in extracellular K+ concentration [( K+]o) and analyzed to elucidate the ionic mechanism of the K+ uptake occurring under such conditions. 2. In addition, the K+ concentration of the extracellular space of the nerve cell body region (NCBR) and the neuropile (N) was measured with neutral carrier K(+)-ISME. In normal saline (4 mM K+), a concentration of 4.2 mM was measured in both extracellular spaces. No differences between the K+ concentration of the bathing fluid and the extracellular spaces were found at higher (i.e., 10 and 40 mM) K+ concentrations. 3. In normal saline, the mean membrane potential (Em) was -68 mV, and the mean aKi, aNai, and aCli were found to be 77, 10, and 7 mM, respectively. The corresponding equilibrium potentials were -81, 56, and -66 mV. The chloride equilibrium potential (ECl) was similar to Em, and it is concluded that chloride is passively distributed across the NG cell membrane. 4. When [K+]o was transiently increased 10-fold (i.e., to 40 mM), aKi and a Cli increased transiently by 22 and 25 mM, respectively, and the membrane depolarized to -28 mV, which was similar to both K+ equilibrium potential (EK) and ECl. The KCl uptake was accompanied by a transient decrease in aNai to 5 mM. 5. After incubation for at least 1 h in Na(+)-free saline, NG cells accumulated K+ in the absence of extracellular Na+ to levels similar to those observed in the presence of Na+. Therefore the uptake of K+ was not dependent on external--and probably also internal--Na+. 6. Changes in cell volume induced by the increase in [K+]o were estimated by loading NG cells with choline and monitoring its intracellular concentration with Corning-K(+)-ISME. In saline containing 40 mM K+, NG cell volume increased to approximately 150% of its volume in normal saline. 7. It is concluded that the mechanism of K+ uptake in NG cells is by passive KCl and water influx, which causes cell swelling.

scholarly journals Electrophysiology of the Heart of an Isopod Crustacean: Porcellio Dilatatus

1972 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 609-631
Author(s):  
J. C. DELALEU ◽  
A. BLONDEAU ◽  
A. HOLLEY
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Action Potentials ◽  
Additional Data ◽  
Ionic Currents ◽  
Membrane Resistance ◽  
Resting Membrane Potential ◽  
Plateau Phase ◽  
Bathing Medium ◽  
Ionic Conductances ◽  
Rate Of Decline

1. The effects of various ions and chemicals were tested on the resting or active membrane of the heart of the wood-louse Porcellio dilatatus. 2. The curve relating the resting membrane potential to log [K+]o was found to correspond with the theoretical curve expected from the Nernst equation at higher concentrations only. Excess K+ decreased both amplitude and rate of rise of the response while the rate of decline was increased. In K+-deficient solutions the duration of the plateau phase was at first increased, then depressed. The addition of K+ to a bathing medium deprived for several minutes of this ion caused a large increase in the membrane potential and in the response height. The way in which the membrane was seen to react was tentatively attributed to an electrogenic active pumping mechanism. 3. In Na+-deficient solutions, the rate of rise and the height of the response were reduced while the resting membrane potential was decreased. 4. Ca2+-deficient solutions depolarized the membrane and decreased both amplitude and duration of the response. Cessation of activity occurred in Ca2+-free solution. In excess calcium the membrane was hyperpolarized. The rhythm and the rate of rising were decreased and the plateau phase depressed. 5. TTX blocked the heart activity, probably by acting upon the heart ganglion. Mn2+ depressed especially the humped plateau (when present) of the spontaneous responses. 6. TEA, caffeine and procaine transformed spontaneous activity of weak amplitude into large and complex overshooting responses. In TEA solutions, several stable levels of polarization were observed. Contrary to what occurred in the normal solution, depolarizing current pulses could trigger large all-or-none action potentials when TEA was present. 7. The TEA-induced regenerative response was analysed with the help of an intracellular stimulating current when [Na+]o and [Ca2+]o were varied. Additional data were obtained by applying TTX, Mn2+ or GABA. From the results, both Ca2+ and Na+ were thought to be involved in the ionic currents underlying spike type activity. 8. The spike-generating effect of TEA has been attributed to its property of increasing the membrane resistance and of allowing the ionic conductances which generate the weakly active component of the normal response, the plateau, but not the initial upstroke, to be amplified regeneratively. 9. The large spikes elicited by TEA were found relatively less effective than weak sustained depolarization in inducing strong contractions. 10. The functional significance of the data was tentatively interpreted by comparison with the properties of the heart of Limulus, Crustacea and vertebrates.

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