Membrane currents of the tunicate egg under the voltage-clamp condition. 1976

H Okamoto, and K Takahashi, and M Yoshii

1. Ionic currents of the egg membrane of a certain tunicate. Halocynthia roretzi Drashe, were studied by the voltage-clamp technique. 2. The membrane depolarization beyond -55mV in standard artificial sea water induced mainly transient inward current and slight outward currents, when the holding potential was kept at -99 mV. 3. The transient inward current was composed of two components; the major one showed a faster time course, a more negative critical level of about -55 mV, and a reversal potential around +60 mV and the minor one showed a slower time course, a less negative critical level o -10 mV, and no definite reversal potential. 4. The major component became maximum at about -25 mV with the peak time of 6-9 msec at 15 degrees C, and the maximum currents ranged from 0-5 to 1-5 X 10(-5) A/cm2. 5. The major component of the inward current was abolished by the replacement of Na with choline or Tris or Cs ions, while it was almost unaltered by the replacement with Li. The minor component was independent of Na concentration in the external solution. 6. The major component showed the activation and inactivation identical with those of Na current of other excitable membranes. A conditioning depolarization over -90 mV inactivated the Na current and the half inactivation of the major inward current was obtained by a conditioning pulse to -56 mV, when the pulse duration was 400 msec and the temperature was at 15 degrees C. 7. The time course of the Na current was formulated with m and h parameters in the following equations: (see article). 8. The kinetic parameters taum and tauh of egg Na current were calculated and compared with those of the squid axon. The potential dependence of taum and tauh was almost identical with that of the axon, but the absolute values of both taum and tauh were ten- to twentyfold larger than those of the axon in any range of the membrane potential. 9. The temperature depdence of the kinetic parameters taum, tauh and of the chord conductance gNa was studied. The Q10's for taum and tauh were both 4-0, while the Q10 for gNa was 2-0 in the temperature range from 5 to 20 degrees C. 10. The outward and inward rectifying conductances of egg membrane were remarkably activated at the potential level above +100 mV and below -70 mV respectively in standard artificial sea water. Both increased currents were subsequently subject to inactivation. 11. It was suggested that Na, Ca, K inward rectifying and K outward rectifying conductances all exist separately in the egg cell membrane and the Na current was essentially identical with that through the Na channel in other excitable membranes.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008094 Lithium An element in the alkali metals family. It has the atomic symbol Li, atomic number 3, and atomic weight [6.938; 6.997]. Salts of lithium are used in treating BIPOLAR DISORDER. Lithium-7,Lithium 7
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
D010063 Ovum A mature haploid female germ cell extruded from the OVARY at OVULATION. Egg,Egg, Unfertilized,Ova,Eggs, Unfertilized,Unfertilized Egg,Unfertilized Eggs
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
D002794 Choline A basic constituent of lecithin that is found in many plants and animal organs. It is important as a precursor of acetylcholine, as a methyl donor in various metabolic processes, and in lipid metabolism. Bursine,Fagine,Vidine,2-Hydroxy-N,N,N-trimethylethanaminium,Choline Bitartrate,Choline Chloride,Choline Citrate,Choline Hydroxide,Choline O-Sulfate,Bitartrate, Choline,Chloride, Choline,Choline O Sulfate,Citrate, Choline,Hydroxide, Choline,O-Sulfate, Choline
D004553 Electric Conductivity The ability of a substrate to allow the passage of ELECTRONS. Electrical Conductivity,Conductivity, Electric,Conductivity, Electrical
D005260 Female Females
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

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