A Calcium-Activated Nonspecific Cation Channel from Olfactory Receptor Neurones of the Silkmoth Antheraea Polyphemus

1991 ◽  
Vol 161 (1) ◽  
pp. 455-468
Author(s):  
F. ZUFALL ◽  
H. HATT ◽  
T. A. KEIL
Keyword(s):  
Olfactory Receptor ◽  
Single Channel ◽  
Membrane Vesicles ◽  
Cation Channel ◽  
Voltage Response ◽  
Antheraea Polyphemus ◽  
Cell Excitability ◽  
Olfactory Receptor Neurones ◽  
Single Channel Currents ◽  
Channel Currents

Single-channel patch-clamp techniques were used to identify and characterize a Ca2+-activated nonspecific cation channel (CAN channel) on insect olfactory receptor neurones (ORNs) from antennae of male Antheraea polyphemus. The CAN channel was found both in acutely isolated ORNs from developing pupae and in membrane vesicles from mature ORNs that presumably originated from inner dendritic segments. Amplitude histograms of the CAN single-channel currents presented well-defined peaks corresponding to at least four channel substates each having a conductance of about 16 pS. Simultaneous gating of the substates was achieved by intracellular Ca2+ with an EC50 value of about 80 nmoll−1. Activity of the CAN channel could be blocked by application of amiloride (IC50 <100nmoll−1). Moreover, in the presence of 1μmoll−1 Ca2+, opening of the CAN channel was totally suppressed by 10 μmoll−1 cyclic GMP, whereas ATP (1 mmol l−1) was without effect. We suggest that the CAN channel plays a specific role in modulation of cell excitability and in shaping the voltage response of ORNs.

Divalent cations block the cyclic nucleotide-gated channel of olfactory receptor neurons

1993 ◽  
Vol 69 (5) ◽  
pp. 1758-1768 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Zufall ◽  
S. Firestein
Keyword(s):  
Cyclic Amp ◽  
Calcium Channels ◽  
Cyclic Nucleotide ◽  
Olfactory Receptor ◽  
Single Channel ◽  
Divalent Cations ◽  
Olfactory Receptor Neurons ◽  
Gated Channel ◽  
Receptor Neurons ◽  
Single Channel Currents

1. The effects of external divalent cations on odor-dependent, cyclic AMP-activated single-channel currents from olfactory receptor neurons of the tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) were studied in inside-out membrane patches taken from dendritic regions of freshly isolated sensory cells. 2. Channels were reversibly activated by 100 microM cyclic AMP. In the absence of divalent cations, the channel had a linear current-voltage relation giving a conductance of 45 pS. With increasing concentrations of either Ca2+ or Mg2+ in the external solution, the channel displayed a rapid flickering behavior. At higher concentrations of divalent cations, the transitions were too rapid to be fully resolved and appeared as a reduction in mean unitary single-channel current amplitude. 3. This effect was voltage dependent, and on analysis was shown to be due to an open channel block by divalent ions. In the case of Mg2+, the block increased steadily with hyperpolarization. In contrast, for Ca2+ the block first increased with hyperpolarization and then decreased with further hyperpolarization beyond -70 mV, providing evidence for Ca2+ permeation of this channel. 4. This block is similar to that seen in voltage-gated calcium channels. Additionally, the cyclic nucleotide-gated channel shows some pharmacological similarities with L-type calcium channels, including a novel block of the cyclic nucleotide channel by nifedipine (50 microM). 5. Our results indicate that the sensory generator current simultaneously depends on the presence of the second messenger and on the membrane potential of the olfactory neuron.

SINGLE CHANNEL CURRENTS IN RETINAL CELLS

1986 ◽  
pp. 209-212
Author(s):  
Davide LOVISOLO ◽  
Renzo LEVI ◽  
Dario CANTINO ◽  
Elena STROBBIA
Keyword(s):  
Single Channel ◽  
Retinal Cells ◽  
Single Channel Currents ◽  
Channel Currents
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