Biomaterial Database

A potential- and time-dependent blockade of inward rectification in frog skeletal muscle fibres by barium and strontium ions. 1978

N B Standen, and P R Stanfield

1. A three-electrode voltage clamp method was used to investigate the effects of Ba and Sr ions on the inwardly rectifying K conductance of resting frog sartorius muscle fibres. 2. When Ba2+ (0.01-5 mM) was added to the control (115 mM-K+) solution the inward currents recorded during hyperpolarizing voltage steps turned off exponentially with time as the blockade by Ba2+ developed. Outward currents showed no time-dependence. 3. Ba2+ ions reduced both the instantaneous and the steady-state values of currents recorded on hyperpolarization. The blockade was potential-dependent, steady-state currents being increasingly reduced with increasing hyperpolarization. 4. The concentration-effect relation for the blockade of instantaneous currents by Ba2+ could be fitted assuming 1:1 binding of Ba2+ to a receptor, with the block being proportional to the number of Ba2+-filled receptors. The apparent dissociation constant at the holding potential (-5 mV) was 0.65 mM. Concentration-effect relations were shifted along the concentration axis to lower concentrations by hyperpolarization. The apparent dissociation constant was reduced e-fold for a 16.8 mV change in potential. 5. Increasing the [Ba]o increased the rate of onset of the blockade at a given potential. 6. The rate of onset of the blockade had a high temperature dependence (Q10 = 3.15 +/- 0.08). 7. When [K]o was doubled to 230 mM, under conditions where [K]i was also doubled, [Ba]o had to be raised approximately fourfold to produce the same degree and rate of onset of blockade. Similarly, when [K]o was decreased, the degree and rate of onset of blockade were increased for a given [Ba]o. 8. The blockade could be readily removed by removal of Ba2+ from the bathing solution. In addition the blockade which develops on hyperpolarization is removed exponentially on return to the holding potential. 9. The blockade which exists at the holding potential may be removed by a depolarizing prepulse. 10. Sr causes a similar potential-dependent blockade to that by Ba2+, but is around 400 times less effective. 11. The results have been fitted with a model assuming that the permeability mechanism is an aqueous pore with a site which binds one Ba2+ ion or two K+ ions. The site must have affinity for Ba2+ and a low affinity for K+.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007700	Kinetics	The rate dynamics in chemical or physical systems.
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
D008954	Models, Biological	Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of biological processes or diseases. For disease models in living animals, DISEASE MODELS, ANIMAL is available. Biological models include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment.	Biological Model,Biological Models,Model, Biological,Models, Biologic,Biologic Model,Biologic Models,Model, Biologic
D009132	Muscles	Contractile tissue that produces movement in animals.	Muscle Tissue,Muscle,Muscle Tissues,Tissue, Muscle,Tissues, 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.
D011896	Rana temporaria	A species of the family Ranidae occurring in a wide variety of habitats from within the Arctic Circle to South Africa, Australia, etc.	European Common Frog,Frog, Common European,Common European Frog,Common Frog, European,European Frog, Common,Frog, European Common
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
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
D001001	Anura	An order of the class Amphibia, which includes several families of frogs and toads. They are characterized by well developed hind limbs adapted for jumping, fused head and trunk and webbed toes. The term "toad" is ambiguous and is properly applied only to the family Bufonidae.	Bombina,Frogs and Toads,Salientia,Toad, Fire-Bellied,Toads and Frogs,Anuras,Fire-Bellied Toad,Fire-Bellied Toads,Salientias,Toad, Fire Bellied,Toads, Fire-Bellied
D001464	Barium	An element of the alkaline earth group of metals. It has an atomic symbol Ba, atomic number 56, and atomic weight 138. All of its acid-soluble salts are poisonous.