Biomaterial Database

The Ca2+-sensitive K+-currents underlying the slow afterhyperpolarization of bullfrog sympathetic neurones. 1987

K Tanaka, and K Kuba

Department of Physiology, Saga Medical School, Japan.

Ca2+-sensitive K+ currents involved in the slow afterhyperpolarization (a.h.p.) of an action potential of bullfrog sympathetic neurones were studied with a single-electrode voltage clamp method. The outward tail current (IAH) generated after the end of a depolarizing command pulse (from the holding potential of -60 mV to 0 mV, 5-20 ms in duration), mimicking an action potential, was separated into at least two exponential components (IAHf and IAHs). They were identified as K+ currents, since their reversal potentials were close to the K+ equilibrium potential and they were sensitive to external K+. The time constant of IAHf (tf; 44 ms at -60 mV) was decreased by membrane hyperpolarization from -40 to -80 mV, while that of IAHs (ts; 213 ms) remained constant. Removal of external Ca2+ or addition of Cd2+ significantly decreased the IAHs amplitude (As) and tf without a change in ts and the IAHf amplitude (Af). On the other hand, increasing Ca2+ influx by applying repetitive command pulses enhanced both Af and As with negligible effects on tf and ts, and produced a much slower component. Intracellular injection of EGTA reduced Af with no effect on tf, and increased As with a decreased ts. Both muscarine and (+/-)-tubocurarine, which reduced IAHs, hardly affected IAHf. These results indicate that a.h.p. is induced by the activation of two distinct Ca2+-dependent K+ channels, which differ in voltage sensitivity, Ca2+-dependence and pharmacology.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007473	Ion Channels	Gated, ion-selective glycoproteins that traverse membranes. The stimulus for ION CHANNEL GATING can be due to a variety of stimuli such as LIGANDS, a TRANSMEMBRANE POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE, mechanical deformation or through INTRACELLULAR SIGNALING PEPTIDES AND PROTEINS.	Membrane Channels,Ion Channel,Ionic Channel,Ionic Channels,Membrane Channel,Channel, Ion,Channel, Ionic,Channel, Membrane,Channels, Ion,Channels, Ionic,Channels, Membrane
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
D009116	Muscarine	A toxic alkaloid found in Amanita muscaria (fly fungus) and other fungi of the Inocybe species. It is the first parasympathomimetic substance ever studied and causes profound parasympathetic activation that may end in convulsions and death. The specific antidote is atropine.
D009474	Neurons	The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Nerve Cells,Cell, Nerve,Cells, Nerve,Nerve Cell,Neuron
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.
D011892	Rana catesbeiana	A species of the family Ranidae (true frogs). The only anuran properly referred to by the common name "bullfrog", it is the largest native anuran in North America.	Bullfrog,Bullfrogs,Rana catesbeianas,catesbeiana, Rana
D002118	Calcium	A basic element found in nearly all tissues. It is a member of the alkaline earth family of metals with the atomic symbol Ca, atomic number 20, and atomic weight 40. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and combines with phosphorus to form calcium phosphate in the bones and teeth. It is essential for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles and plays a role in blood coagulation (as factor IV) and in many enzymatic processes.	Coagulation Factor IV,Factor IV,Blood Coagulation Factor IV,Calcium-40,Calcium 40,Factor IV, Coagulation
D002462	Cell Membrane	The lipid- and protein-containing, selectively permeable membrane that surrounds the cytoplasm in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.	Plasma Membrane,Cytoplasmic Membrane,Cell Membranes,Cytoplasmic Membranes,Membrane, Cell,Membrane, Cytoplasmic,Membrane, Plasma,Membranes, Cell,Membranes, Cytoplasmic,Membranes, Plasma,Plasma Membranes
D004533	Egtazic Acid	A chelating agent relatively more specific for calcium and less toxic than EDETIC ACID.	EGTA,Ethylene Glycol Tetraacetic Acid,EGATA,Egtazic Acid Disodium Salt,Egtazic Acid Potassium Salt,Egtazic Acid Sodium Salt,Ethylene Glycol Bis(2-aminoethyl ether)tetraacetic Acid,Ethylenebis(oxyethylenenitrile)tetraacetic Acid,GEDTA,Glycoletherdiamine-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic Acid,Magnesium-EGTA,Tetrasodium EGTA,Acid, Egtazic,EGTA, Tetrasodium,Magnesium EGTA
D004553	Electric Conductivity	The ability of a substrate to allow the passage of ELECTRONS.	Electrical Conductivity,Conductivity, Electric,Conductivity, Electrical