Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Necturus”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Reconstitution of an inwardly rectifying potassium channel from the basolateral membranes of Necturus enterocytes into planar lipid bilayers.

Basolateral membrane vesicles from Necturus enterocytes, highly (greater than 20-fold) enriched in Na+,K+-ATPase, were reconstituted into planar lipid bilayers. The principal channel activity observed is selective for K+ over Na+ and Cl-. This K+ channel is blocked by Ba2+ and Leiurus quinquestriatus venom but is not affected by Ca2+ over the range of 10(-3) to less than 10(-7) M and is not inhibited by charybdotoxin. L. quinquestriatus venom also markedly reduces the conductance of the basolateral membrane of intact villus cells of Necturus small intestine. The open-time probability (Po) of the channel displays a voltage-dependence characteristic of an "inward rectifier"; i.e., the channel inactivates when the basolateral membrane is depolarized and Po increases with increasing hyperpolarization of that barrier. Assuming that similar properties prevail under physiological conditions, this characteristic could provide, in part, an explanation for the parallelism between Na+-pump and K+-leak activities of the basolateral membrane observed in this epithelium. Thus, an increase in rheogenic Na+-pump activity at the basolateral membrane would hyperpolarize that barrier and, in turn, increase the open time of this K+ channel.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

A peptide from the Drosophila Shaker K+ channel inhibits a voltage-gated K+ channel in basolateral membranes of Necturus enterocytes.

A synthetic peptide composed of the first 22 amino acid residues of the Drosophila Shaker K+ channel inhibits a voltage-gated K+ channel in basolateral membrane vesicles from Necturus enterocytes reconstituted in planar phospholipid bilayers when added to the solution bathing the inner surface of this channel but not when added to the solution bathing its outer surface. A modified peptide in which the leucine in the 7 position is replaced with phenylalanine is also an effective inhibitor, but replacement of the leucine-7 with lysine or glutamate, or digestion with trypsin, renders the peptide ineffective; replacement of the leucine-7 with glycine markedly reduces but does not abolish the effectiveness of the peptide as an inhibitor. These results are analogous to those reported for the Shaker K+ channel +ADHoshi, T., Zagotta, W.N. & Aldrich, R.W. (1990) Science 250, 533-538; and Zagotta, W.N., Hoshi, T. & Aldrich, R.W. (1990) Science 250, 568-571.+BD and suggest that the molecular anatomy of the receptor at the inner face of the Necturus K+ channel with which the peptide interacts to bring about inhibition of that channel may be similar to that of the Shaker K+ channel.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1987

Transcellular sodium fluxes and pump activity in Necturus gall-bladder epithelial cells.

1. Transepithelial Na transport in Necturus was determined by measuring the rate of isotonic fluid flow. The rate at 20 degrees C was equivalent to 175 pmol cm-2 s-1. 2. Ouabain was effective in Necturus, binding to the Na pump in gall-bladder cells with a mean rate constant of 5.4 X 10(3) M-1 s-1. Measurement of the diffusive time constant of the free space for [3H]ouabain shows that the pump must be fully inhibited within 20 s when ouabain is applied to the serosa at 10(-3) M. 3. The serosal Na efflux from loaded cells was inhibited 36% by ouabain equal to a flux of 73 pmol cm-2 s-1. The remaining flux could not be attributed to either exchange diffusion or electrodiffusion induced by ouabain. 4. The transepithelial potential was 0.3 mV serosa positive. The short-circuit current measured was 6.33 +/- 1.9 microA cm-2, equal to a positive univalent ion flux of 65.6 pmol cm-2 s-1 or 38% of the net Na transfer. The current was inhibited within 1-5 min by 5 X 10(-5) M-amiloride. 5. Fluid secretion was immediately inhibited 34% by ouabain, equivalent to an isotonic transport of Na of 59.7 pmol cm-2 s-1. Thereafter it continued for at least an hour, sometimes declining slowly. Amiloride had little effect (13%). 6. The Na pump rate was measured by titrating the cell content with tracer Na at different times after ouabain treatment. The initial slope was equal to a rate of 61.6 pmol cm-2 s-1 or 35% of the net flux at time zero. 7. The Na pump rate has also been measured by recording the rise in cell Na activity with ion-specific micro-electrodes, and correcting for swelling effects. The Na pump rate was very similar to that estimated from the rise in tracer Na content, equal to 59.3 pmol cm-2 s-1 or 31.4% of the transepithelial rate. Examination of the same experiment in the literature shows a closely similar value, about one-third of that expected from fluid secretion or net flux measurements. 8. A scheme is proposed to explain the results, which requires a flow of NaCl through a parallel pathway of small Na content involving exchange en route with the cytoplasmic Na.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1991

Two types of potassium currents seen in isolated Necturus enterocytes with the single-electrode voltage-clamp technique.

1. The ionic permeability of Necturus maculosus small intestine epithelial cells was investigated using intracellular microelectrodes to measure membrane potential in intact tissue or by the single-electrode voltage-clamp technique in isolated cells. 2. The basolateral membrane of enterocytes appears to be K+ selective as demonstrated by the dependence of membrane potential and fractional serosal resistance measured in the intact epithelium on serosal K+ concentration. 3. Isolated cells had membrane potentials similar to those measured in the intact tissue. Voltage-clamp experiments in a physiological Ringer solution showed the presence of both large outward and inward currents. 4. Removal of Cl- from the bathing medium, linear subtraction or the use of a Cl- channel blocker revealed outwardly rectifying currents. The quasi-linear component was also revealed following K+ channel inhibition; it reversed near ECl, suggesting that the charge carrier was Cl-. 5. Outwardly rectifying currents could be kinetically resolved into two components. A fast component (tau for activation < 4 ms) accounted for 60-80% of the total current at positive potentials. A slowly activating component appeared at voltages positive to 50 mV with tau for activation of > 25 ms. 6. The slow outward current showed strong voltage dependence of both activation and relaxation, which were faster at more depolarized potentials. 7. Both fast and slow outward currents seem to be carried by K+ as they were blocked by Ba2+ and tetraethylammonium (TEA). Tail current analysis of the slow component indicated a reversal potential very similar to EK. 8. Fast outward currents were half-activated at about -40 mV whereas slow outward currents were only apparent at more positive potentials. It is proposed that the fast outward K+ current plays a role, together with Cl- currents, in determining the resting membrane potential of Necturus enterocytes.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Diphenylamine-2-carboxylate blocks Cl(-)-HCO3- exchange in Necturus gallbladder epithelium.

Intracellular microelectrode techniques were employed to study the effects of diphenylamine-2-carboxylate (DPC) on ion transport in Necturus gallbladder epithelium. Under control conditions, addition of DPC to the mucosal bathing solution caused a concentration-dependent, reversible hyperpolarization of both cell membranes with no measurable resistance changes. In addition, DPC caused the following effects, all consistent with inhibition of apical membrane Cl(-)-HCO3- exchange: fall in intracellular Cl- activity (aCli), increase in intracellular pH (pHi), reduction of the changes in aCli and pHi produced by lowering mucosal solution [Cl-], and reduction of the change in pHi produced by lowering mucosal solution [HCO3-]. Similar studies in theophylline-treated preparations indicate that DPC also inhibits anion exchange under these conditions, but has no effect on the apical membrane electrodiffusive Cl- permeability induced by cyclic AMP. Under these conditions, DPC caused cell membrane hyperpolarization but had no effect on the apparent ratio of membrane resistances. In addition, DPC had no effects on the rapid changes in apical membrane voltage elicited by altering mucosal [Cl-], but caused significant reductions of the slower, secondary voltage changes observed in response to changes in mucosal [Cl-], and the changes in aCli and pHi produced by lowering mucosal [Cl-]. Because others have demonstrated that DPC blocks Cl- channels in other epithelia (Distefano, A., M. Wittner, E. Schlatter, H. J. Lang, H. Englert, and R. Greger. Diphenylamine-2-carboxylate, a blocker of the Cl(-)-conductive pathway in Cl(-)-transporting epithelia. Pfluegers++ Arch. 405: S95-S100, 1985), it is possible that the structures of those channels and that induced by cyclic AMP in Necturus gallbladder are different. Because of its relatively high affinity and rapid reversibility, DPC may become useful in studies of anion exchange in other cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Measurements of intracellular pH in Necturus antral mucosa by microelectrode technique.

Intracellular pH (pHi) was measured in the surface epithelial cells of Necturus antrum using pH-sensitive intracellular microelectrodes. Electrodes were prepared by filling 10- to 20-M omega resistance glass microelectrodes with a H+ ion-selective exchange resin and calibrated before use in solutions of known pH 4.0-8.0. The electrode response (n = 15) was linear (r = 0.93; P less than 0.001) with a slope of 52.1 +/- 2.3 mV/pH unit. Antral mucosa was mounted in a modified Ussing chamber and pHi was determined from the difference between the potentials recorded by intracellular H+-selective and conventional microelectrodes. These measurements of pHi were validated by examining the response of the intracellular microelectrodes to 1) depolarization of the cell membrane produced by K+ substitution for Na+, and 2) alkalinization and acidification of pHi produced by NH+4 substitution for Na+ in the bathing solutions. In tissues bathed with HCO-3-Ringer solution (pH 7.0), the mean pHi was 7.34 +/- 0.02 with a range from 7.24 to 7.43. In N-2-hydroxymethylpiperazine-N' -ethanesulfonic acid (HEPES)-Ringer solution (pH 7.0), pHi was reduced to 7.02 +/- 0.05 (P less than 0.01). Acidification of the luminal solution to pH 6.8 with CO2 produced a 0.22 +/- 0.04-pH unit fall in pHi (P less than 0.001). In contrast, acidification to pH 4.0 with HCl had no significant effects on pHi. These findings indicate that HCO-3 may play an important role in pHi regulation in this tissue. In addition, they suggest that, in contrast to CO2, the surface epithelial cells of Necturus antrum are relatively resistant to acidification by luminal HCl.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Low doses of ethanol have Ca2+ ionophore-like effects on apical membrane potential of in vitro Necturus antrum.

The effects of low doses of luminal ethanol on the amiloride-sensitive apical membrane potential of Necturus antral mucosa were studied using conventional microelectrode techniques. Luminal ethanol (0.250-4.0% vol/vol) caused a dose-dependent hyperpolarization of the apical membrane potential (Vmc), an increase in transepithelial resistance (Rt) and resistance ratio (Ra/Rb), and a decrease in transepithelial potential (Vms). Luminal amiloride (100 microM) to 4% ethanol-treated antra did not cause any additional hyperpolarization of Vmc. Compared with luminal 2% ethanol-Ringer, an equivalent osmotic mannitol solution depolarized Vmc and basolateral potential (Vcs), decreased Rt and Ra/Rb, and increased Vms. A single dose of 0.50% ethanol attenuated the effects of a second 2% ethanol exposure on Vmc. No change in periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive mucous granule content could be found between control and 2% ethanol-treated antra. The Ca2+ ionophores A23187 or ionomycin (0.25-5.0 microM) dose dependently hyperpolarized the Vmc and Vcs, increased Rt and Ra/Rb, and decreased Vms. Luminal Ca(2+)-free Ringer had no effect on luminal 2.00% ethanol-induced changes in membrane potentials or resistances. Pretreatment with BAPTA blocked by approximately 70 and 55% the Vmc hyperpolarization of 2 and 4% ethanol, respectively. Pretreatment with ruthenium red (10-50 microM) also dose dependently reduced the 2% ethanol-induced changes in Vmc. The data indicate that 1) low doses of luminal ethanol and Ca2+ ionophores have similar effects on Necturus gastric antral membrane potentials and resistances, 2) ethanol-induced hyperpolarizations of the Vmc are partially mediated through an alteration in intracellular Ca2+, and 3) low doses of luminal ethanol do not cause the release of antral epithelial mucous granules at the time when significant changes are occurring in the Vmc.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Electrogenic Na/HCO3 cotransport across basolateral membrane of isolated perfused Necturus proximal tubule.

This study was undertaken to determine whether the proximal tubule of the mud puppy Necturus maculosus possesses a basolateral Na/HCO3 cotransporter. We examined the effects on basolateral membrane potential (Vbl) and intracellular pH (pHi) of 1) lowering basolateral [HCO3-] at constant PCO2, and 2) replacing Na+ with N-methyl-D-glucamine. Vbl and pHi were measured with Ling-Gerard and liquid-membrane pH microelectrodes, respectively, in isolated tubules perfused in vitro. We found that decreasing basolateral [HCO3-] from 10 mM (pH 7.5) to 2 mM (pH 6.8) resulted in an immediate depolarization of 14.9 mV, and a pHi decrease of 0.35. SITS (4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanostibene-2,2'-disulfonic acid, 0.5 mM) inhibited the HCO3-induced depolarization by 87% and inhibited the initial rate of the pHi decrease by 79%. Replacement of basolateral Na+ with N-methyl-D-glucamine resulted in an immediate depolarization of 11.3 mV, and a pHi decrease of 0.36. SITS inhibited the zero Na-induced depolarization by 86% and the initial rate of the pHi decrease by 81%. Nominal removal of basolateral HCO3- (replaced with N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N'-2-ethanesulfonic acid) inhibited the zero Na-induced depolarization by 64%, whereas nominal removal of Na+ inhibited the 2 mM HCO3-induced depolarization by 67%. Replacement of all basolateral Cl- with glucuronate did not inhibit the changes in Vbl induced by changing [HCO3-] or [Na+]. Observations similar to those described above have been made previously on Ambystoma proximal tubules, and attributed to an electrogenic Na/HCO3 cotransport mechanism that carries HCO3-, Na+, and net negative charge in the same direction. We conclude that Necturus proximal tubules possess a similar, if not identical, electrogenic Na/HCO3 cotransport mechanism.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

Some aspects of proximal tubular sodium chloride reabsorption in Necturus kidney.

Some aspects of proximal tubular sodium chloride reabsorption in Necturus kidney. Renal tubular reabsorption of fluid and sodium was measured by clearance methods in the doubly perfused Necturus kidney in which the bicarbonate concentration was varied between 0 and 60 mEq/liter. The effects of Damox (2.2 times 10-3M), ocubain (10-5M) and ethacrynic acid (10-4M) and of acidosis were also investigated. In addition to clearance experiments, stationary microperfusion experiments were carried out on promimal tubules to measure volume flow and steady-state sodium and chloride concentration differences across the tubular epithelium. In some experiments, the transepithelial electrical potential difference was also measured using an axial electrode system. The following results were obtained: 1) Bicarbonate is not essential to the operation of renal tubular fluid and sodium transport. 2) Total renal and proximal tubular fluid and sodium transport are partially inhibited by Diamox, ouabian and ethacrynic acid. 3) The proximal tubule maintains a significant transepithelial sodium and chloride concentration difference and a significant electrical potential difference (lumen-negative) in the presence of a poorly permeant nonelectrolyte. The direction and magnitude of the electrical polarization fully accounts for the observed chloride concentration difference. The data support the thesis that sodium chloride transport accross the proximal tubular epithelium takes place by active sodium transport and electically coupled passive chloride reabsorption. Important species differences with respect to mammalian transport mechanisms are discussed.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1977

Kinetics of Na+ transport in Necturus proximal tubule.

The dependence of proximal tubular sodium and fluid readsorption on the Na(+) concentration of the luminal and peritubular fluid was studied in the perfused necturus kidney. Fluid droplets, separated by oil from the tubular contents and identical in composition to the vascular perfusate, were introduced into proximal tubules, reaspirated, and analyzed for Na(+) and [(14)C]mannitol. In addition, fluid transport was measured in short-circuited fluid samples by observing the rate of change in length of the split droplets in the tubular lumen. Both reabsorptive fluid and calculated Na fluxes were simple, storable functions of the perfusate Na(+) concentration (K(m) = 35-39 mM/liter, V(max) = 1.37 control value). Intracellular Na(+), determined by tissue analysis, and open-circuit transepithelial electrical potential differences were also saturable functions of extracellular Na(+). In contrast, net reabsorptive fluid and Na(+) fluxes were linearly dependent on intracellular Na(+) and showed no saturation, even at sharply elevated cellular sodium concentrations. These concentrations were achieved by addition of amphotericin B to the luminal perfusate, a maneuver which increased the rate of Na(+) entry into the tubule cells and caused a proportionate rise in net Na(+) flux. It is concluded that active peritubular sodium transport in proximal tubule cells of necturus is normally unsaturated and remains so even after amphotericin-induced enhancement of luminal Na(+) entry. Transepithelial movement of NaCl may be described by a model with a saturable luminal entry step of Na(+) or NaCl into the cell and a second, unsaturated active transport step of Na(+) across the peritubular cell boundary.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

The permeability of the skin of a neotenous urodele amphibian, the mudpuppy Necturus maculosus.

1. The permeability of the isolated skin of a neotenous urodele amphibian, the mudpuppy Necturus maculosus, to Na, Cl, urea and water was measured. 2. Unidirectional transcutaneous flux measurements and the action of ouabain and amiloride, showed that there was normally no active Cl or Na transport, nor a Cl/Cl exchange diffusion process. 3. Amphotericin B initiated a transcutaneous potential difference and short-circuit current, which could be inhibited by ouabain. 4. The short-circuit current was nearly equivalent to the net Na Transport and this was also inhibited by ouabain. 5. A transcutaneous active Na transport mechanism thus appears to be incipient in the mudpuppy but is limited by a low permeability of the outer barrier of the cells. 6. Vasotocin increased the skin's diffusion permeability for water but had no effect on the influx of Na or urea. 7. The function of Necturus skin is in several respects unique compared to that of other amphibians.

Amiloride↗
PubMed1978

Further studies on ion permeation in proximal tubule of necturus kidney.

In the perfused Necturus kidney, the ratio of transepithelial sodium-to-chloride permeabilities (PNa/PCl) was estimated from dilution potentials at 1:7. The ratio of transepithelial permeabilities PHCO3/cl was estimated from bi-ionic potentials at 1:4 and that of Plact/PCl at 1:12. The permeability sequence, therefore, is PCl greater than PHCO3 greater than than PNa or PnaCl greater than PNaHCO3. The latter is similar to the situation in the rat. However, because of the low Na permeability, passive NaCl absorption by solvent drag is probably less important in Necturus than in the rat. The measurement of transepithelial input conductance during replacement of extracellular chloride by either bicarbonate or lactate shows that the former reduces the transmural conductance to 31% of control values as compared with 40% for the latter. Such discrepancies between permeability and conductance sequences are consistent either with an interference of the test anion with chloride permeation or with the presence of positive fixed changes within the shunt pathway.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Transcellular and paracellular tracer chloride fluxes in Necturus proximal tubule.

Necturus proximal tubule lumen was filled with solutions of Na36Cl or [36Cl]tetramethylammonium ([36Cl]TMA) and the tracer disappearance was measured. With these tracers it was possible to differentiate between chloride fluxes across the cellular and the extracellular shunt pathways. Since it was previously shown that chloride does not enter tubule cells from the lumen unless Na is also present in the lumen, the [36Cl]TMA disappearance rate gave the shunt flux of chloride while the Na36Cl disappearance rate gave the sum of the transcellular and the shunt fluxes. The transcellular tracer chloride flux was unaffected by changes in the transepithelial potential difference, and the rate constant for the chloride flux from lumen to cell was identical to that previously reported for luminal sodium entry. These observations support the conclusion that a coupled transport of NaCl, in an electrically silent form, occurs across the luminal membrane of the Necturus proximal tubule cell. Shunt chloride flux was directly proportional to the electrical driving force, indicating diffusional chloride movement out of the lumen into the shunt pathway.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

Micropuncture study of the renal responses of the urodele amphibian Necturus maculosus to injections of arginine vasotocin and an anti-aldosterone compound.

1. Necturus maculosus kidney function has been examined using standard clearance techniques and renal tubular micropuncture methodology. 2. Throughout, cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) has been used to monitor glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and tubular water movements. It was established that this substance was handled by the Necturus kidney in a similar manner to inulin. It can be readily analysed, together with renal electrolytes, by electron microprobe techniques. 3. Profiles of transtubular gradients (TF:P ratios) along the nephron were established for osmolarity, sodium, potassium, calcium and cobalt (of cyanocobalamin). 4. Ureteral urine is always hyposmotic with respect to plasma and the site of dilution of the plasma ultrafiltrate is within the distal segment. 5. Up to 30% of the filtrate is isosmotically reabsorbed along the proximal tubule; the tubular fluid:plasma ratio for osmolarity and sodium is around 1, and the TF:P for cobalt of cyanocobalamin is about 1.4 by the end of this segment. 6. The renal effects of the neurohypophysial hormone arginine vasotocin (AVT) and an aldosterone antagonist (SC14266; Soldactone) have been examined. 7. AVT was consistently antidiuretic causing both a decreased GFR and an enhanced distal tubular reabsorption of water. 8. SC14266 also increased distal tubular reabsorption of water. Such an effect differs from that found in higher vertebrates, and may indicate a "glucocorticoid-type" of renal action for aldosterone in amphibians.

Aldosterone↗
PubMed1987

Ultrastructure of apical specializations of taste cells in the mudpuppy, Necturus maculosus.

The first interaction of taste stimuli with lingual chemoreceptors occurs on the apical membrane of taste cells, since only that portion is exposed to the oral cavity. To gain better insight into this interaction, we examined the pore region of taste buds in Necturus maculosus with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy, and high-voltage electron microscopy. SEM of the pore reveals a patchwork distribution of three morphologically distinct types of apical specializations: long and branched (LB) microvilli, short and unbranched (SU) microvilli, and bundles of stereocilia. As demonstrated in thin and thick sections, LB microvilli are specializations of dark cells, SU microvilli are the apical specializations of light cells, and stereocilia arise from a cell that has the cytoplasmic markers characteristic of light cells. When left in place, the pore mucus completely covers the SU microvilli and partially covers the LB microvilli. However, stereocilia project above the surface and thus are highly exposed to taste stimuli in the oral cavity. These three morphologically distinct types of apical specializations may reveal functional differences among taste cells. The initial interaction between chemical stimulus and taste cell, and possibly chemoreceptor specificity itself, may be influenced by the morphology of the apical ending.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Electron-cytochemical localization of alkaline phosphatase to G cells of Necturus maculosus antrum.

Electron-cytochemical localization of alkaline phosphatase activity was performed on G cells of Necturus maculosus antral mucosa. Alkaline phosphatase activity was localized to the nuclear membrane, the Golgi/endoplasmic reticulum, and the limiting membranes of G cell peptide-secretion vesicles. There was no specific localization of alkaline phosphatase activity to the plasma membrane. Treatment of the tissues with levamisole (an alkaline phosphatase inhibitor) did not markedly reduce the specific alkaline phosphatase activity. Specific lead deposition was reduced by removal of the substrate from the reaction mixture. The results from this study on N. maculosus G cells demonstrate that alkaline phosphatase activity can be found in a non-mammalian gastric endocrine cell and that specific activity was localized primarily to those intracellular structures involved with protein biosynthesis.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1988

Ca2+-activated K+ currents in Necturus choroid plexus.

The tight-seal whole-cell recording method has been used to study Necturus choroid plexus epithelium. A cell potential of -59 +/- 2 mV and a whole cell resistance of 56 +/- 6 M omega were measured using this technique. Application of depolarizing step potentials activated voltage-dependent outward currents that developed with time. For example, when the cell was bathed in 110 mM NaCl Ringer solution and the interior of the cell contained a solution of 110 mM KCl and 5 nM Ca2+, stepping the membrane potential from a holding value of -50 to -10 mV evoked outward currents which, after a delay of greater than 50 msec, increased to a steady state in 500 msec. The voltage dependence of the delayed currents suggests that they may be currents through Ca2+-activated K+ channels. Based on the voltage dependence of the activation of Ca2+-activated K+ channels, we have devised a general method to isolate the delayed currents. The delayed currents were highly selective for K+ as their reversal potential at different K+ concentration gradients followed the Nernst potential for K+. These currents were reduced by the addition of TEA+ to the bath solution and were eliminated when Cs+ or Na+ replaced intracellular K+. Increasing the membrane potential to more positive values decreased both the delay and the half-times (t1/2) to the steady value. Increasing the pipette Ca2+ also decreased the delay and decreased t1/2. For instance, when pipette Ca2+ was increased from 5 to 500 nM, the delay and t1/2 decreased from values greater than 50 and 150 msec to values less than 10 and 50 msec. We conclude that the delayed currents are K+ currents through Ca2+-activated K+ channels. At the resting membrane potential of -60 mV, Ca2+-activated K+ channels contribute between 13 to 25% of the total conductance of the cell. The contribution of these channels to cell conductance nearly doubles with membrane depolarization of 20-30 mV. Such depolarizations have been observed when cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) secretion is stimulated by cAMP and with intracellular Ca2+. Thus the Ca2+-activated K+ channels may play a specific role in maintaining intracellular K+ concentrations during CSF secretion.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Kinetics of voltage- and Ca2+ activation and Ba2+ blockade of a large-conductance K+ channel from Necturus enterocytes.

Potassium channels in membranes of isolated Necturus enterocytes were studied using the patch-clamp technique. The most frequent channel observed had a conductance of 170 pS and reversal potential of 0 mV in symmetrical potassium-rich solutions. Channels were highly K- selective. Channel activity was modulated by membrane potential and cytosolic Ca2+ concentration. Channel openings occurred in characteristic bursts separated by long closures. During bursts openings were interrupted by brief closures. Two gating modes controlled channel opening. The primary gate's sensitivity to intracellular Ca2+ concentration and membrane potential crucially determined long duration closures and bursting. In comparison, the second gate determining brief closures was largely insensitive to voltage and intracellular Ca2+ concentration. The channel was reversibly blocked by cytosolic barium exposure in a voltage-sensitive manner. Blockade reduced open-state probability without altering single-channel conductance and could be described, at relatively high Ca2+ concentration, by a three-state model where Ba2+ interacted with the open channel with a dissociation constant of about 10(-4) M at 0 mV.

Animals↗