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K R Jennings

Publications and source records attributed to K R Jennings.

24 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1982

Intracellular modulation of membrane channels by cyclic AMP-mediated protein phosphorylation in peptidergic neurons of Aplysia.

The peptidergic bag cell neurons of the opisthobranch mollusc Aplysia control egg laying and its correlated behavior by release of the neuroactive peptide, egg-laying hormone, during the extended electrical discharge termed afterdischarge. This paper examines the evidence for the involvement of cyclic AMP (cAMP) and protein phosphorylation in the mediation of this electrical afterdischarge. It is concluded that an important component in the mechanism of afterdischarge is the suppression of a potassium channel, mediated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase-induced protein phosphorylation. The exact identity of the potassium channel remains to be worked out.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1980

Microinjection of catalytic subunit of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase enhances calcium action potentials of bag cell neurons in cell culture.

We have found that the calcium action potentials of bag cell neurons from the abdominal ganglion of Aplysia may be enhanced by intracellular microinjection of the catalytic subunit of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (ATP:protein phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.37). The catalytic subunit was purified from bovine heart and shown to be effective in stimulating the phosphorylation of bag cell proteins in homogenates at concentrations of 10-50 nM. Intracellular injection into isolated bag cell neurons maintained in primary culture was through pressure applied to microelectrodes filled at the tip with catalytic subunit (5-22 muM). In 11 of 16 injected cells, both the slope of the rising phase and the height of the action potentials evoked by a constant depolarizing current were markedly enhanced relative to the pre-injection control (mean increases, 73% and 35%, respectively). This effect could occur with no change in resting potential or in the latency of the action potential from the onset of the depolarizing pulse. The effect was observed with enzyme dissolved in three different salt solutions (Na phosphate, K phosphate, or KCl). In two experiments, tetrodotoxin (50 muM) added to the extracellular medium had no effect on the enhanced action potentials. Subsequent addition of the calcium antagonist Co(2+), however, diminished or abolished the spikes. In more than half of the experiments, the injection of catalytic subunit was accompanied by an increase in the input resistance of the cells as measured by applying small hyperpolarizing current pulses. In three experiments, subthreshold oscillations in membrane potential resulted from the injections. Control injections (24 cells), carried out either with carrier medium alone or with heat-inactivated enzyme preparations, did not produce spike enhancement, increased input resistance, or oscillations. Our data suggest that the stimulation of intracellular protein phosphorylation by the catalytic subunit of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase enhances the excitability of bag cell neurons by modifying calcium and potassium channels or currents.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1980

Peptides controlling behavior in Aplysia.

Figure 11 summarizes our present understanding of the relationships between the bag cells, the atrial gland, their respective peptides, the central nervous system, and reproductive behavior. There are some interesting aspects of the overall organization of the system. The three hormonal peptides (ELH and the two atrial gland peptides) have specific actions on the central nervous system not unlike what we are currently learning from mammalian systems (e.g., LHRH and TRH). ELH, in addition, has several specific peripheral targets, the details of which remain to be worked out. The fact that ELH and other hormones have multiple targets within the central nervous system as well as nonnervous peripheral targets raises the question of whether one or more different receptors exist for single hormone. We suggest that peptides larger than perhaps five residues may carry several "messages" or receptor binding sites encoded within the one molecule. Large peptides such as ELH could obviously have separate domains of charge distribution within the molecule, and these would have the advantage, over the classical small molecule transmitters, of activating a variety of very different targets. The atrial gland is a peripheral source of peptides with potent nervous system actions; this is reminiscent of peptides in mammals, e.g., substance P, gastrin, and somatostatin, all of which were initially isolated from the gut and which are now being found in and also have actions on the central nervous system. Such resemblances in the principles of organization between mammals and molluscs are constant reminders that neuropeptidergic systems are old tricks in the evolutionary bag and that what we learn from molluscs and other invertebrates about mechanisms and organization will likely apply to mammals.

Amino Acid Sequence↗