Internal calcium concentration and potassium permeability in Paramecium. 1978

Y Satow

Ca or EGTA was ionophoretically injected into Paramecium tetraurelia to change [Ca]i. Ca decreased the resting membrane resistance and hyperpolarized the membrane. EGTA had the opposite effect. EGTA following TEA, which suppress GK, had little effect on resistance or resting potential. The I-V relation at steady state was studied before and after EGTA injection while the cell bathed in either K- or TEA-solution. The response to inward test pulses after EGTA injection was similar to that after TEA injection. These results show that [Ca]i controls a steady-state K permeability in Paramecium tetraurelia. A prolonged Ca-spike was recorded after EGTA injection. The plateau potentials in various Ca concentrations in a TEA-solution show the Nernst slope (29 mV for tenfold change in [Ca]o). This result suggests that the prolonged depolarization in this condition is due to a Ca current, after suppression of K-permeability and when [Ca]i is low. The difficulty of obtaining quantitative data on the internal Ca, and the difference between the effects of EGTA injection and TEA injection are discussed.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D010247 Paramecium A genus of ciliate protozoa that is often large enough to be seen by the naked eye. Paramecia are commonly used in genetic, cytological, and other research. Parameciums
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
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
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
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