scholarly journals Depression by carbachol of calcium-dependent action potentials in the canine ventricular muscle depolarized by potassium.

1982 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 757-765 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toshihiko IIJIMA
1985 ◽  
Vol 54 (6) ◽  
pp. 1375-1382 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. W. Bourque ◽  
J. C. Randle ◽  
L. P. Renaud

Intracellular recordings of rat supraoptic nucleus neurons were obtained from perfused hypothalamic explants. Individual action potentials were followed by hyperpolarizing afterpotentials (HAPs) having a mean amplitude of -7.4 +/- 0.8 mV (SD). The decay of the HAP was approximated by a single exponential function having a mean time constant of 17.5 +/- 6.1 ms. This considerably exceeded the cell time constant of the same neurons (9.5 +/- 0.8 ms), thus indicating that the ionic conductance underlying the HAP persisted briefly after each spike. The HAP had a reversal potential of -85 mV and was unaffected by intracellular Cl- ionophoresis of during exposure to elevated extracellular concentrations of Mg2+. In contrast, the peak amplitude of the HAP was proportional to the extracellular Ca2+ concentration and could be reversibly eliminated by replacing Ca2+ with Co2+, Mn2+, or EGTA in the perfusion fluid. During depolarizing current pulses, evoked action potential trains demonstrated a progressive increase in interspike intervals associated with a potentiation of successive HAPs. This spike frequency adaptation was reversibly abolished by replacing Ca2+ with Co2+, Mn2+, or EGTA. Bursts of action potentials were followed by a more prolonged afterhyperpolarization (AHP) whose magnitude was proportional to the number of impulses elicited (greater than 20 Hz) during a burst. Current injection revealed that the AHP was associated with a 20-60% decrease in input resistance and showed little voltage dependence in the range of -70 to -120 mV. The reversal potential of the AHP shifted with the extracellular concentration of K+ [( K+]o) with a mean slope of -50 mV/log[K+]o.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


2003 ◽  
Vol 89 (2) ◽  
pp. 657-664 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert R. Buss ◽  
Charles W. Bourque ◽  
Pierre Drapeau

The physiological and pharmacological properties of the motoneuron membrane and action potential were investigated in larval zebrafish using whole cell patch current-clamp recording techniques. Action potentials were eliminated in tetrodotoxin, repolarized by tetraethylammonium (TEA) and 3,4-diaminopyridine (3,4-AP)-sensitive potassium conductances, and had a cobalt-sensitive, high-threshold calcium component. Depolarizing current injection evoked a brief (approximately 10–30 ms) burst of action potentials that was terminated by strong, outwardly rectifying voltage-activated potassium and calcium-dependent conductances. In the presence of intracellular cesium ions, a prolonged plateau potential often followed brief depolarizations. During larval development (hatching to free-swimming), the resting membrane conductance increased in a population of motoneurons, which tended to reduce the apparent outward rectification of the membrane. The conductances contributing to action potential burst termination are hypothesized to play a role in patterning the synaptically driven motoneuron output in these rapidly swimming fish.


1986 ◽  
Vol 126 (1) ◽  
pp. 119-132
Author(s):  
M. J. O'DONNELL

Depolarization of Rhodnius oocytes evokes action potentials (APs) whose rising phase is calcium-dependent. The ionic basis for the repolarizing (i.e. falling) phase of the AP was examined. Addition of potassium channel blockers (tetraethylammonium, tetrabutylammonium, 4-aminopyridine, atropine) to the bathing saline increased the duration and overshoot of APs. Intracellular injection of tetraethyl ammonium had similar effects. These results suggest that a voltage-dependent potassium conductance normally contributes to repolarization. Repolarization does not require a chloride influx, because substitution of impermeant anions for chloride did not increase AP duration. AP duration and overshoot actually decreased progressively when chloride levels were reduced. Current/voltage curves show inward and outward rectification, properties often associated with potassium conductances. Outward rectification was largely blocked by external tetraethylammonium. Possible functions of the rectifying properties of the oocyte membrane are discussed.


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