The kinetics of recovery and development of potassium channel inactivation in perfused squid (Loligo pealei) giant axons. 1984

L D Chabala

K+ currents were studied at a normal (-69 mV) and at a depolarized (-49 mV) membrane potential in voltage-clamped squid giant axons perfused with 350 mM-K+ and bathed in K+-free artificial sea water containing tetrodotoxin to block the Na+ channels. Steady-state and instantaneous K+ currents were reduced by over 50% at corresponding voltages at the depolarized membrane potential. Instantaneous chord conductance-voltage curves showed that the depolarized membrane potential caused a uniform reduction of K+ conductance across the voltage range under study. The driving force for K+ ions was comparable at both membrane potentials when a short (2 ms) pre-pulse was used to open the K+ channels. When a longer (7.5 ms) pre-pulse was used, the driving force was actually larger at the depolarized membrane potential. The depolarized membrane potential did drive some K+ ions into the periaxonal space. The amount of K+ ions driven into the periaxonal space was estimated by two independent methods, with similar results. The resulting increase of K+ ions in the periaxonal space (10 mM) was about 40 times too small to account for the large reduction in currents in terms of a reduced driving force for K+ ions. The kinetics of recovery and development of inactivation were monitored by repeatedly applying a 7.5 ms test pulse followed by a long conditioning potential. Both recovery and development of inactivation, from the depolarized membrane potential, were described by the sum of two exponential terms plus a constant. The time constant-voltage curves for both phases of inactivation peaked at about -54 mV at 10 degrees C. The time constant of the slow phase of inactivation at -54 mV was about 12.4 s, while the corresponding time constant for the fast phase was about 2.3 s. The slow relaxation had an apparent plateau of about 11 s at more depolarized membrane potentials. Recovery from inactivation was rapid at hyperpolarized membrane potentials. The steady-state inactivation curve of the K+ channel was incomplete in the depolarizing region; and apparent plateau was reached with about 75% of the K+ current inactivated. The temperature sensitivity of both phases of inactivation corresponded to a Q10 of about 3. Elevated external concentrations of K+ ions did not block either phase of the inactivation process, although the kinetics of recovery from inactivation were slightly faster under these conditions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

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
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
D008959 Models, Neurological Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of the neurological system, processes or phenomena; includes the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment. Neurologic Models,Model, Neurological,Neurologic Model,Neurological Model,Neurological Models,Model, Neurologic,Models, Neurologic
D010477 Perfusion Treatment process involving the injection of fluid into an organ or tissue. Perfusions
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.
D004553 Electric Conductivity The ability of a substrate to allow the passage of ELECTRONS. Electrical Conductivity,Conductivity, Electric,Conductivity, Electrical
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
D001369 Axons Nerve fibers that are capable of rapidly conducting impulses away from the neuron cell body. Axon
D013696 Temperature The property of objects that determines the direction of heat flow when they are placed in direct thermal contact. The temperature is the energy of microscopic motions (vibrational and translational) of the particles of atoms. Temperatures
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