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M Stengl

Publications and source records attributed to M Stengl.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Modulation of transient outward current by extracellular protons and Cd2+ in rat and human ventricular myocytes.

1. The effects of extracellular acidosis and Cd2+ on the transient outward current (Ito) have been investigated in rat and human ventricular myocytes, using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. 2. In rat myocytes, exposure to acidic extracellular solution (pH 6.0) shifted both steady-state activation and inactivation curves to more positive potentials, by 20.5 +/- 2.7 mV (mean +/- S.E.M.; n = 4) and 19.8 +/- 1.2 mV, respectively. Cd2+ also shifted the activation and inactivation curves in a positive direction in a concentration-dependent manner. 3. In human myocytes, the steady-state activation and inactivation curves were located at more positive potentials. The effect of Cd2+ was similar, but acidosis had less effect than in rat myocytes (e.g. pH 6.0 shifted activation by only 7.2 +/- 2.2 mV and inactivation by 13.7 +/- 0.5 mV; n = 4). 4. In both species, the effect of acidosis decreased with increasing concentrations of Cd2+ and vice versa, suggesting competition between H+ and Cd2+ for a common binding site. 5. The data indicate that acidosis and divalent cations influence Ito via a similar mechanism and act competitively in both rat and human myocytes, but that human cells are less sensitive to the effects of acidosis.

Acidosis↗
PubMed1998

Phenylephrine-induced stimulation of Na+/Ca2+ exchange in rat ventricular myocytes.

OBJECTIVE: The effect of an alpha-adrenergic agonist, phenylephrine, on the Na+/Ca2+ exchange current in rat ventricular myocytes was investigated. METHODS: The Na+/Ca2+ exchange current was measured at room temperature in rat ventricular myocytes as the whole-cell current induced by addition of extracellular Na+ and Ca2+, while blocking Na+ current by setting the holding potential at -30 mV, K+ currents by intracellular Cs+, TEA+ and by extracellular Ba2+, Ca2+ current by nifedipine and Na+ pump current by ouabain or by 0 extracellular K+. RESULTS: Under these experimental conditions, application of external Na+ and Ca2+ induced a current which was further increased by phenylephrine. Phenylephrine (80 microM) increased the current by up to 31.0 +/- 5.4% of control at all membrane potentials tested both below and above the reversal potential. The reversal potential (+21.0 +/- 3.2 mV), which corresponded with the theoretical reversal potential for the Na+/Ca2+ exchange current under our ionic conditions (+21.3 mV), was not changed by phenylephrine (+23.2 +/- 4.1 mV). Applying phenylephrine in the absence of Na+/Ca2+ exchange (0 Na+e, 0 Ca2+e) did not change the current. The effect was resistant to propranolol, a beta-adrenergic blocker, but prevented by prazosin, an alpha-receptor antagonist, by neomycin, an inhibitor of phospholipase C, and by chelerythrine, a selective inhibitor of protein kinase C. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate failed to stimulate the current. The effect remained similar under conditions of high (HEPESi = 5 mM) and low (HEPESi = 0.5 mM) intracellular pH buffering. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that phenylephrine stimulates the Na+/Ca2+ exchange, both in the forward and the reverse modes, probably via a protein kinase C-dependent pathway.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗
PubMed1998

Organization of the circadian system in insects.

The circadian systems of different insect groups are summarized and compared. Emphasis is placed on the anatomical identification and characterization of circadian pacemakers, as well as on their entrainment, coupling, and output pathways. Cockroaches, crickets, beetles, and flies possess bilaterally organized pacemakers in the optic lobes that appear to be located in the accessory medulla, a small neuropil between the medulla and the lobula. Neurons that are immunoreactive for the peptide pigment-dispersing hormone (PDH) arborize in the accessory medulla and appear to be important components of the optic lobe pacemakers. The neuronal architecture of the accessory medulla with associated PDH-immunoreactive neurons is best characterized in cockroaches, while the molecular machinery of rhythm generation is best understood in fruit flies. One essential component of the circadian clock is the period protein (PER), which colocalizes with PDH in about half of the fruit fly's presumptive pacemaker neurons. PER is also found in the presumptive pacemaker neurons of beetles and moths, but appears to have different functions in these insects. In moths, the pacemakers are situated in the central brain and are closely associated with neuroendocrine functions. In the other insects, neurons associated with neuroendocrine functions also appear to be closely coupled to the optic lobe pacemakers. Some crickets and flies seem to possess central brain pacemakers in addition to their optic lobe pacemakers. With respect to neuronal organization, the circadian systems of insects show striking similarities to the vertebrate circadian system.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Extracellular divalent cations block a cation non-selective conductance unrelated to calcium channels in rat cardiac muscle.

1. The effect of removing extracellular divalent cations on resting potential (Vrest) and background conductance of rat cardiac muscle was studied. Vrest was measured with 3 M KCl-filled microelectrodes in papillary muscles, or with a patch electrode in ventricular myocytes. Whole-cell membrane currents were measured in myocytes using step or ramp voltage commands. 2. In both muscles and single cells, decrease or removal of Ca2+o and Mg2+o caused a nifedipine-resistant depolarization, which was reversed upon readmission of Ca2+o or Mg2+o (half-maximal effect at 0.8 mM Ca2+o or 3 mM Mg2+o in muscles). 3. In single myocytes, removal of Ca2+o and Mg2+o had no effect on the seal resistance in nonruptured cell-attached recordings, but reversibly induced a current with a reversal potential (Vrev) of -8 +/- 3.4 mV (with internal Cs+; mean +/- S.E.M., n = 23) during whole-cell recordings. The current was insensitive to nifedipine (3-100 microM) or amiloride (1 mM). Vrev was insensitive to changes in the equilibrium potential for chloride ions (ECl). 4. The current induced in the absence of extracellular divalent cations was blocked in a concentration-dependent manner by Ca2+o. (At -80 mV, the affinity constant KCa was 60 microM with a Hill coefficient of 0.9) KCa was voltage dependent at positive but not negative potentials. Mg2+o, Ni2+o, Sr2+o, Ba2+o, Cd2+o and Gd3+o also blocked the current. 5. In 0 mM Na+ (145 mM NMDG+), the inward component of the divalent cation-sensitive current was decreased and Vrev shifted to more negative potentials. 6. These results suggest that a novel conductance pathway, permeable to monovalent cations but not to Cl- and blocked by divalent cations, exists in ventricular myocytes.

Amiloride↗
PubMed1997

Pigment-dispersing hormone shifts the phase of the circadian pacemaker of the cockroach Leucophaea maderae.

An antiserum against the crustacean neuropeptide pigment-dispersing hormone stains a small set of neurons in the optic lobes of several hemimetabolous and holometabolous insects. These cells, the primary branches of which in the optic lobe lie in the accessory medulla, fulfill several criteria predicted for neurons of the circadian clock. For example, in fruit flies they express timeless and period, which are two molecular components of the circadian pacemaker. To test whether pigment-dispersing hormone fulfills a circadian function in the cockroach Leucophaea maderae, 150 fmol of synthetic peptide was injected into the vicinity of the accessory medulla. This resulted in a stable phase-dependent resetting of the phase of the circadian locomotor activity rhythm, which depended on the amount of pigment-dispersing hormone injected. The resulting phase-response curve differs from that obtained with light pulses, suggesting that pigment-dispersing hormone-immunoreactive neurons are not part of the visual input pathway to the pacemaker but an integral part of it and/or part of a nonphotic input into the clock. A possible role of these neurons in coupling the bilaterally paired circadian pacemakers is discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

NADPH diaphorase activity in the antennae of the hawkmoth Manduca sexta

Biochemical and physiological studies suggested that increases in the levels of cyclic GMP in insect antennal receptor cells play a role in olfactory adaptation. As inositol-trisphosphate-dependent Ca2+ influx appears to precede the increase in intracellular cyclic GMP levels, it was hypothesized that a Ca2+-dependent mechanism might stimulate the guanylyl cyclase. The present study used histochemical staining for NADPH diaphorase to examine whether antennal receptor neurones of male Manduca sexta could contain nitric oxide synthase. This Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent enzyme is a prerequisite for nitric-oxide-dependent stimulation of guanylyl cyclase and possesses NADPH diaphorase activity. It was found that a subpopulation of olfactory receptor neurones as well as mechano-, thermo- and hygroreceptors on the moth antenna are NADPH-diaphorase-positive. Staining was also seen in non-neuronal cells. In the developing antenna, the NADPH-diaphorase-dependent staining was first observed at pupal stage 13-14, at approximately the same time as the antennal receptor neurones became physiologically active. The number and location of stained receptor cells was highly variable, and significantly more pheromone-sensitive sensilla were NADPH-diaphorase-positive in pheromone-stimulated antennae. This suggests that the enzyme is transiently activated by pheromone rather than being continuously active.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1995

Immunocytochemical characterization of the accessory medulla in the cockroach Leucophaea maderae.

Several lines of evidence suggest that pigment-dispersing hormone-immunoreactive neurons with ramifications in the accessory medulla are involved in the circadian system of insects. The present study provides a detailed analysis of the anatomical and neurochemical organization of the accessory medulla in the brain of the cockroach Leucophaea maderae. We show that the accessory medulla is compartmentalized into central dense nodular neuropil surrounded by a shell of coarse fibers. It is innervated by neurons immunoreactive to antisera against serotonin and the neuropeptides allatostatin 7, allatotropin, corazonin, gastrin/cholecystokinin, FMRFamide, leucokinin I, and pigment-dispersing hormone. Some of the immunostained neurons appear to be local neurons of the accessory medulla, whereas others connect this neuropil to various brain areas, including the lamina, the contralateral optic lobe, the posterior optic tubercles, and the superior protocerebrum. Double-label experiments show the colocalization of immunoreactivity against pigment-dispersing hormone with compounds related to FMRFamide, serotonin, and leucokinin I. The neuronal and neurochemical organization of the accessory medulla is consistent with the current hypothesis for a role of this brain area as a circadian pacemaking center in the insect brain.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Inositol-trisphosphate-dependent calcium currents precede cation currents in insect olfactory receptor neurons in vitro.

Specialized olfactory receptor neurons in insects respond to species-specific sex pheromones with transient rises in inositol trisphosphate and by opening pheromone-dependent cation channels. These channels resemble cation channels which are directly or indirectly Ca(2+)-dependent. But there appear to be no internal Ca2+ stores in the outer dendrite where the olfactory transduction cascade is thought to start. Hence, it remains to be determined whether an influx of external Ca2+ precedes pheromone-dependent cation currents. Patch clamp measurements in cultured olfactory receptor neurons from Manduca sexta reveal that a transient inward current precedes pheromone-dependent cation currents. A transient inositol trisphosphate-dependent Ca2+ current, also preceding cation currents with the characteristics of pheromone-dependent cation currents, shares properties with the transient pheromone-dependent current. These results match the biochemical measurements with the electrophysiological data obtained in insect olfactory receptor neurons.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Pigment-dispersing hormone-immunoreactive neurons in the cockroach Leucophaea maderae share properties with circadian pacemaker neurons.

Neurons immunoreactive with antisera against the crustacean peptide beta-pigment dispersing hormone fulfill several anatomical criteria proposed for circadian pacemakers in the brain of the cockroach Leucophaea maderae. These include position of somata, projections to the lamina and midbrain and possible coupling pathways between the two pacemakers through commissural fibers. In behavioral experiments combined with lesion studies and immunocytochemical investigations we examined whether the presence of pigment-dispersing hormone-immunoreactive arborizations in the midbrain of the cockroach correlates with the presence of circadian locomotor activity. No rhythm was detected after severing both optic stalks in any animal for at least 12 days. Within the same time pigment-dispersing hormone-immunoreactive fibers in the midbrain disappeared. Two to seven weeks after the operation some of the cockroaches regained circadian locomotor activity, while others remained arrhythmic. In all cockroaches which regained rhythmic behavior pigment-dispersing hormone-immunoreactive fibers had regenerated and had largely found their original targets within the brain. In all arrhythmic cockroaches either none or very little regeneration had occurred. The period of the regained circadian activity inversely correlated with the number of regenerated immunoreactive commissural fibers. These data provide further evidence for the involvement of pigment-dispersing hormone-immunoreactive neurons in circadian clocks of orthopteroid insects.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Intracellular-messenger-mediated cation channels in cultured olfactory receptor neurons.

After 2-3 weeks in culture, pupal olfactory receptor neurons from the antennae of male Manduca sexta respond to their species-specific sex pheromone by opening cation channels. These pheromone-dependent cation channels are the only channels previously found in cultured olfactory neurons that promote inward currents at membrane potentials more negative than the resting potential. The pheromone-dependent currents depend on external Ca2+ concentration. They are inwardly rectified with 10(-7) mol l-1 external Ca2+ and linear with 6 mmol l-1 external Ca2+. This paper shows that perfusion of cultured olfactory receptor neurons with GTP gamma S, ATP, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate or 10(-6) mol l-1 Ca2+ elicits cation currents resembling the pheromone-dependent cation currents in expressing inward rectification with 10(-7) mol l-1 external Ca2+ and being linear at external Ca2+ concentrations of 2 mumol l-1 or more. Stimulation with protein kinase C also elicits cation currents that share properties with the pheromone-dependent cation currents. All agent-induced cation currents appear to depend either directly or indirectly on Ca2+ concentration.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1992

Olfactory receptor neurons from antennae of developing male Manduca sexta respond to components of the species-specific sex pheromone in vitro.

Male-specific olfactory receptor neurons, dissociated from developing antennae of the moth Manduca sexta and grown in long-term primary cell culture, can respond to at least one component of the female moth's sex-pheromone blend with the opening of a nonspecific cation channel. This response does not require the coapplication of pheromone-binding protein.

4-Aminopyridine↗
PubMed1991

Ionic currents of cultured olfactory receptor neurons from antennae of male Manduca sexta.

Whole-cell and single-channel voltage-clamp techniques were used to identify and characterize the ionic currents of insect olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) in vitro. The cells were isolated from the antennae of male Manduca sexta pupae at stages 3-5 of adult development and maintained in primary cell culture. After 2-3 weeks in vitro, the presumptive ORNs had resting potentials of -62 +/- 12 mV (n = 18) and expressed at least 1 type of Na+ channel and at least 3 types of K+ channels. Na+ currents, recorded in the whole-cell mode, were reversibly blocked by 0.1 microM tetrodotoxin. The predominant type of K+ channel observed was a voltage-activated K+ channel (gamma = 30 pS) with characteristics similar to those of the delayed rectifier. The activity of the 30-pS K+ channel could be inhibited by the application of nucleotides to the cytoplasmic face of inside-out patches of membrane. The nucleotides had relative potencies as follows: ATP greater than cGMP greater than cAMP, with an inhibition constant for ATP of Ki = 0.18 mM. Raising the intracellular Ca2+ concentration from 0.1 to 5 microM induced the opening of a Ca2(+)-activated K+ channel (gamma = 66 pS at 0 mV) that had a low voltage sensitivity. A third, transient type of K+ channel (gamma = 12-18 pS) could be activated by depolarizing voltage steps from very negative resting potentials. Properties of this channel were similar to those of the "A-channel." These results support the conclusion that M. sexta ORNs differentiate in vitro and provide the basis for studying primary mechanisms of olfactory transduction.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Acetylcholinesterase activity in antennal receptor neurons of the sphinx moth Manduca sexta.

We have used a cytochemical technique to investigate the distribution of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in the antenna of the sphinx moth Manduca sexta. High levels of echothiophate-insensitive (presumably intracellular) AChE activity were found in six different types of antennal receptors localized in specific regions of the three antennal segments of the adult moth. Mechanosensory organs in the scape and pedicel, the Böhm bristles and Johnston's organ, are innervated by AChE-positive neurons. In each annulus of the antennal flagellum, AChE-positive neurons are associated with six sensilla chaetica and a peg organ, probably a sensillum styloconicum. At least 112 receptor neurons (8-10 per annulus) innervating the intersegmental membranes between the 14 distalmost annuli also exhibit high levels of echothiophate-resistant AChE. In addition, each annulus has more than 30 AChE-positive somata in the epidermis of the scale-covered (back) side of the flagellum, and 4 AChE-positive somata reside within the first annulus of the flagellum. Since none of the olfactory receptor neurons show a high level of echothiophate-resistant AChE activity, and all known mechanoreceptors are AChE-positive, apparently "intracellular" AChE activity in the antenna correlates well with mechanosensory functions and is consistent with the idea that these cells employ acetylcholine as a neurotransmitter.

Acetylcholinesterase↗
PubMed1990

Insect olfactory neurons in vitro: morphological and immunocytochemical characterization of male-specific antennal receptor cells from developing antennae of male Manduca sexta.

Sex-pheromone components released by Manduca sexta females are detected solely by male-specific olfactory receptor neurons that innervate long sensilla trichodea on the male antennae. To facilitate studies of the development and physiology of these receptor cells, we have produced primary in vitro cultures of cells dissociated from pupal male antennae. These cultures comprise several morphological types of cells, 2 of which have been characterized immunocytochemically with a pair of monoclonal antibodies that were shown previously to recognize certain antigens in olfactory receptor neurons at defined stages of development. The good correlation between in vivo and in vitro expression of these antigens suggests that the immunocytochemically recognized cells are olfactory receptor neurons that follow at least partially their normal course of differentiation in vitro.

Animals↗