A voltage-clamp study of the permeability change induced by quanta of transmitter at the mouse end-plate. 1978

T M Linder, and D M Quastel

1. Miniature end-plate currents (m.e.p.c.s) were recorded from mouse diaphragm using a point voltage-clamp. The relation between m.e.p.c. amplitude and membrane potential was determined in bathing solutions of varied composition. 2. In solution containing normal sodium the relation between m.e.p.c. height and membrane potential (Im.e.p.c./Vm relation) was always linear, at least in the range +30 to -100 mV; the reversal potential (Vr) at which Im.e.p.c. was zero was close to 0. The slope of the Im.e.p.c./Vm line varied little between junctions (coefficient of variation about 20%) and was about 50 nS, or 1nA per 20 mV. The Im.e.p.c./Vm relation was not altered by withdrawal of Ca2+, addition of ethanol, or substitution of NO-3 or SO2-(4) for Cl-. 3. Alteration of K+ concentration in the bathing medium, in the range 10 to 1 mM, had no apparent effect on the Im.e.p.c./Vm relation. 4. Reduction of Na+ concentration, with isosmotic substitution of sucrose, caused rapid alteration of the Im.e.p.c./Vm relation, which became rectifying, with a slope at negative Vm less than at positive Vm. Vr was shifted in the negative direction. Quantitatively these changes were close to those predicted by the Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz formulation for permeation of monovalent ions through a membrane with constant field. 5. In solution with low Na+ (2 mM) and partial substitution of K+ for Na+, the Im.e.p.c./Vm relation was indistinguishable from that in solutions with Na" as the predominant extracellular cation. With complete substitution of K+ for Na+ the Im.e.p.c./Vm relation was a little less steep (at negative Vm) than in Na+ solution and Vr was shifted slightly in the negative direction. 6. With substitution of NH+4 for Na+, the Im.e.p.c./Vm relation was little changed (about 10% steeper at negative Vm). With substitution of Li+ for Na+, the Im.e.p.c./Vm relation remained linear, but was made less steep, at positive as well as negative Vm, and Vr was shifted slightly in the positive direction. 7. These results indicate that the permeability change associated with generation of the m.e.p.c. (i.e., evoked by a quantum of transmitter) corresponds to the opening of a single species of membrane channel that allows the free movement of K+, Na+, NH+4, AND Li+ ions along their electrochemical gradients. The channel discriminates little between these ions. The apparent order of permeability is Li+ greater than NH+4 greater than Na+ greater than or equal to K+. The apparent permeability per channel corresponds to that expected for channels of about 6.4 A diameter, 100 A length, and ionic mobility the same as in dilute solution.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007700 Kinetics The rate dynamics in chemical or physical systems.
D008094 Lithium An element in the alkali metals family. It has the atomic symbol Li, atomic number 3, and atomic weight [6.938; 6.997]. Salts of lithium are used in treating BIPOLAR DISORDER. Lithium-7,Lithium 7
D008564 Membrane Potentials The voltage differences across a membrane. For cellular membranes they are computed by subtracting the voltage measured outside the membrane from the voltage measured inside the membrane. They result from differences of inside versus outside concentration of potassium, sodium, chloride, and other ions across cells' or ORGANELLES membranes. For excitable cells, the resting membrane potentials range between -30 and -100 millivolts. Physical, chemical, or electrical stimuli can make a membrane potential more negative (hyperpolarization), or less negative (depolarization). Resting Potentials,Transmembrane Potentials,Delta Psi,Resting Membrane Potential,Transmembrane Electrical Potential Difference,Transmembrane Potential Difference,Difference, Transmembrane Potential,Differences, Transmembrane Potential,Membrane Potential,Membrane Potential, Resting,Membrane Potentials, Resting,Potential Difference, Transmembrane,Potential Differences, Transmembrane,Potential, Membrane,Potential, Resting,Potential, Transmembrane,Potentials, Membrane,Potentials, Resting,Potentials, Transmembrane,Resting Membrane Potentials,Resting Potential,Transmembrane Potential,Transmembrane Potential Differences
D009045 Motor Endplate The specialized postsynaptic region of a muscle cell. The motor endplate is immediately across the synaptic cleft from the presynaptic axon terminal. Among its anatomical specializations are junctional folds which harbor a high density of cholinergic receptors. Motor End-Plate,End-Plate, Motor,End-Plates, Motor,Endplate, Motor,Endplates, Motor,Motor End Plate,Motor End-Plates,Motor Endplates
D009435 Synaptic Transmission The communication from a NEURON to a target (neuron, muscle, or secretory cell) across a SYNAPSE. In chemical synaptic transmission, the presynaptic neuron releases a NEUROTRANSMITTER that diffuses across the synaptic cleft and binds to specific synaptic receptors, activating them. The activated receptors modulate specific ion channels and/or second-messenger systems in the postsynaptic cell. In electrical synaptic transmission, electrical signals are communicated as an ionic current flow across ELECTRICAL SYNAPSES. Neural Transmission,Neurotransmission,Transmission, Neural,Transmission, Synaptic
D009469 Neuromuscular Junction The synapse between a neuron and a muscle. Myoneural Junction,Nerve-Muscle Preparation,Junction, Myoneural,Junction, Neuromuscular,Junctions, Myoneural,Junctions, Neuromuscular,Myoneural Junctions,Nerve Muscle Preparation,Nerve-Muscle Preparations,Neuromuscular Junctions,Preparation, Nerve-Muscle,Preparations, Nerve-Muscle
D011188 Potassium An element in the alkali group of metals with an atomic symbol K, atomic number 19, and atomic weight 39.10. It is the chief cation in the intracellular fluid of muscle and other cells. Potassium ion is a strong electrolyte that plays a significant role in the regulation of fluid volume and maintenance of the WATER-ELECTROLYTE BALANCE.
D002463 Cell Membrane Permeability A quality of cell membranes which permits the passage of solvents and solutes into and out of cells. Permeability, Cell Membrane
D000644 Quaternary Ammonium Compounds Derivatives of ammonium compounds, NH4+ Y-, in which all four of the hydrogens bonded to nitrogen have been replaced with hydrocarbyl groups. These are distinguished from IMINES which are RN Quaternary Ammonium Compound,Ammonium Compound, Quaternary,Ammonium Compounds, Quaternary,Compound, Quaternary Ammonium
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia

Related Publications

T M Linder, and D M Quastel
February 1972, Nature: New biology,
T M Linder, and D M Quastel
November 1978, The Journal of physiology,
T M Linder, and D M Quastel
November 1960, The Journal of physiology,
T M Linder, and D M Quastel
January 1998, Journal of the peripheral nervous system : JPNS,
T M Linder, and D M Quastel
July 1982, Pflugers Archiv : European journal of physiology,
T M Linder, and D M Quastel
September 1988, The Journal of physiology,
Copied contents to your clipboard!