Biomaterial Database

The slow calcium-dependent potassium current in a myenteric neurone of the guinea-pig ileum. 1985

G D Hirst, and S M Johnson, and D F van Helden

Experiments were performed in current-clamped and voltage-clamped after-hyperpolarizing (AH) neurones of the guinea-pig myenteric plexus to examine the properties of the potassium conductance (gK, Ca) underlying the slow calcium-activated after-hyperpolarization (VK, Ca). The action potential plateau lengthened by the addition of tetraethylammonium chloride (TEA) to the bathing medium was compared to VK, Ca. Results were consistent with enhanced calcium entry causing an increase of VK, Ca. 4-Aminopyridine (4-AP) directly reduced VK, Ca. Voltage-clamp data of gK, Ca were well fitted by a process with a delay (approximately equal to 60 ms) followed by exponential activation (time constant approximately equal to 300 ms) and inactivation (time constant approximately equal to 2 s). The presence of a small, much slower inactivating process was noted. Values for time constants were similar to those reported by Morita, North & Tokimasa (1982) and North & Tokimasa (1983) where gK, Ca was measured during VK, Ca subsequent to action potential stimulation. The relation between gK, Ca (or the calcium-activated potassium current IK, Ca) and estimated calcium influx resulting from short-duration calcium currents elicited at various voltages was compared. Both the integral of the calcium current and gK, Ca showed a similar dependence on the depolarizations used to elicit IK, Ca except there was a positive shift of about 4 mV for the gK, Ca curve. This shift was attributed to a requirement for calcium ions to prime the gK, Ca mechanism. An inward ion charge movement of about 8 pC was required before significant activation of gK, Ca occurred. After the 'priming' condition had been established, the sensitivity of gK, Ca to inward calcium current measured at the resting potential was about 500 pS/pC of inward charge. Large calcium entry obtained by prolonged calcium currents caused saturation of the peak amplitude of IK, Ca and initiated currents with slower time to peak amplitude and longer duration. Increasing the calcium concentration of the external solution provided proportionally larger IK, Ca currents before saturation. The saturation amplitude of IK, Ca (namely gK, Ca) was relatively unaffected.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007082	Ileum	The distal and narrowest portion of the SMALL INTESTINE, between the JEJUNUM and the ILEOCECAL VALVE of the LARGE INTESTINE.
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
D009197	Myenteric Plexus	One of two ganglionated neural networks which together form the ENTERIC NERVOUS SYSTEM. The myenteric (Auerbach's) plexus is located between the longitudinal and circular muscle layers of the gut. Its neurons project to the circular muscle, to other myenteric ganglia, to submucosal ganglia, or directly to the epithelium, and play an important role in regulating and patterning gut motility. (From FASEB J 1989;3:127-38)	Auerbach's Plexus,Auerbach Plexus,Auerbachs Plexus,Plexus, Auerbach's,Plexus, Myenteric
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.
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
D006168	Guinea Pigs	A common name used for the genus Cavia. The most common species is Cavia porcellus which is the domesticated guinea pig used for pets and biomedical research.	Cavia,Cavia porcellus,Guinea Pig,Pig, Guinea,Pigs, Guinea
D000200	Action Potentials	Abrupt changes in the membrane potential that sweep along the CELL MEMBRANE of excitable cells in response to excitation stimuli.	Spike Potentials,Nerve Impulses,Action Potential,Impulse, Nerve,Impulses, Nerve,Nerve Impulse,Potential, Action,Potential, Spike,Potentials, Action,Potentials, Spike,Spike Potential
D000631	Aminopyridines	Pyridines substituted in any position with an amino group. May be hydrogenated but must retain at least one double bond.	Aminopyridine
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