Biomaterial Database

Self-generated electrical currents through Xenopus neurulae. 1984

K R Robinson, and R F Stump

An extracellular vibrating electrode has been used to investigate epithelial current production by Xenopus neurulae. Xenopus neurulae, in 5% DeBoer (DB) solution, stages 14-22, generated an endogenous current which left the blastopores of the embryos, and entered all other locations. The inward current declined near the mid line of the neural groove in stage 15 embryos. The inward current was abolished or drastically reduced by exchange of 5% DB with Na+-free (choline- or bis(2-hydroxyethyl)dimethylammonium (BDAC)-substituted) 5% DB, 5.5 mM-KCl, 1 mM-verapamil in 5% DB, 50 or 500 microM-ouabain in 5% DB, or 1 microM-amiloride in 5% DB. Verapamil (10 microM) in 5% DB, 5.5 mM-NaCl and 1 mM-CoCl2 in 5% DB had little or no effect on the magnitude observed. The current also was present in 5% DB containing Li+ instead of Na+; current carried by Li+ was abolished by amiloride. This is consistent with a Na+ current, similar to that of short-circuited adult frog skin.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D009420	Nervous System	The entire nerve apparatus, composed of a central part, the brain and spinal cord, and a peripheral part, the cranial and spinal nerves, autonomic ganglia, and plexuses. (Stedman, 26th ed)	Nervous Systems,System, Nervous,Systems, Nervous
D009424	Nervous System Physiological Phenomena	Characteristic properties and processes of the NERVOUS SYSTEM as a whole or with reference to the peripheral or the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Nervous System Physiologic Processes,Nervous System Physiological Processes,Nervous System Physiology,Nervous System Physiological Concepts,Nervous System Physiological Phenomenon,Nervous System Physiological Process,Physiology, Nervous System,System Physiology, Nervous
D010042	Ouabain	A cardioactive glycoside consisting of rhamnose and ouabagenin, obtained from the seeds of Strophanthus gratus and other plants of the Apocynaceae; used like DIGITALIS. It is commonly used in cell biological studies as an inhibitor of the NA(+)-K(+)-EXCHANGING ATPASE.	Acocantherin,G-Strophanthin,Acolongifloroside K,G Strophanthin
D004553	Electric Conductivity	The ability of a substrate to allow the passage of ELECTRONS.	Electrical Conductivity,Conductivity, Electric,Conductivity, Electrical
D005260	Female		Females
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
D000584	Amiloride	A pyrazine compound inhibiting SODIUM reabsorption through SODIUM CHANNELS in renal EPITHELIAL CELLS. This inhibition creates a negative potential in the luminal membranes of principal cells, located in the distal convoluted tubule and collecting duct. Negative potential reduces secretion of potassium and hydrogen ions. Amiloride is used in conjunction with DIURETICS to spare POTASSIUM loss. (From Gilman et al., Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 9th ed, p705)	Amidal,Amiduret Trom,Amiloberag,Amiloride Hydrochloride,Amiloride Hydrochloride, Anhydrous,Kaluril,Midamor,Midoride,Modamide,Anhydrous Amiloride Hydrochloride,Hydrochloride, Amiloride,Hydrochloride, Anhydrous Amiloride,Trom, Amiduret
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
D012964	Sodium	A member of the alkali group of metals. It has the atomic symbol Na, atomic number 11, and atomic weight 23.	Sodium Ion Level,Sodium-23,Ion Level, Sodium,Level, Sodium Ion,Sodium 23