Biomaterial Database

Two distinct K+ channels in lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis) erythrocyte membrane characterized by single channel patch clamp. 1998

L V Virkki, and M Nikinmaa

Department of Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Finland.

Two channels, distinguished by using single-channel patch-clamp, carry out potassium transport across the red cell membrane of lamprey erythrocytes. A small-conductance, inwardly rectifying K(+)-selective channel was observed in both isotonic and hypotonic solutions (osmolarity decreased by 50%). The single-channel conductance was 26 +/- 3 pS in isotonic (132 mM K+) solutions and 24 +/- 2 pS in hypotonic (63 mM K+) solutions. No outward conductance was found for this channel, and the channel activity was completely inhibited by barium. Cell swelling activated another inwardly rectifying K+ channel with a larger inward conductance of 65 pS and outward conductance of 15 pS in the on-cell configuration. In this channel, rectification was due to the block of outward currents by Mg2+ and Ca2+ ions, since when both ions were removed from the cytosolic side in inside-out patches the conductance of the channel was nearly ohmic. In contrast to the small-conductance channel, the swelling-activated channel was observed also in the presence of barium in the pipette. Neither type of channel was dependent on the presence of Ca2+ ions on the cytosolic side for activity.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007798	Lampreys	Common name for the only family (Petromyzontidae) of eellike fish in the order Petromyzontiformes. They are jawless but have a sucking mouth with horny teeth.	Eels, Lamprey,Petromyzontidae,Petromyzontiformes,Eel, Lamprey,Lamprey,Lamprey Eel,Lamprey Eels
D004910	Erythrocyte Membrane	The semi-permeable outer structure of a red blood cell. It is known as a red cell 'ghost' after HEMOLYSIS.	Erythrocyte Ghost,Red Cell Cytoskeleton,Red Cell Ghost,Erythrocyte Cytoskeleton,Cytoskeleton, Erythrocyte,Cytoskeleton, Red Cell,Erythrocyte Cytoskeletons,Erythrocyte Ghosts,Erythrocyte Membranes,Ghost, Erythrocyte,Ghost, Red Cell,Membrane, Erythrocyte,Red Cell Cytoskeletons,Red Cell Ghosts
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
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.
D015221	Potassium Channels	Cell membrane glycoproteins that are selectively permeable to potassium ions. At least eight major groups of K channels exist and they are made up of dozens of different subunits.	Ion Channels, Potassium,Ion Channel, Potassium,Potassium Channel,Potassium Ion Channels,Channel, Potassium,Channel, Potassium Ion,Channels, Potassium,Channels, Potassium Ion,Potassium Ion Channel
D018408	Patch-Clamp Techniques	An electrophysiologic technique for studying cells, cell membranes, and occasionally isolated organelles. All patch-clamp methods rely on a very high-resistance seal between a micropipette and a membrane; the seal is usually attained by gentle suction. The four most common variants include on-cell patch, inside-out patch, outside-out patch, and whole-cell clamp. Patch-clamp methods are commonly used to voltage clamp, that is control the voltage across the membrane and measure current flow, but current-clamp methods, in which the current is controlled and the voltage is measured, are also used.	Patch Clamp Technique,Patch-Clamp Technic,Patch-Clamp Technique,Voltage-Clamp Technic,Voltage-Clamp Technique,Voltage-Clamp Techniques,Whole-Cell Recording,Patch-Clamp Technics,Voltage-Clamp Technics,Clamp Technique, Patch,Clamp Techniques, Patch,Patch Clamp Technic,Patch Clamp Technics,Patch Clamp Techniques,Recording, Whole-Cell,Recordings, Whole-Cell,Technic, Patch-Clamp,Technic, Voltage-Clamp,Technics, Patch-Clamp,Technics, Voltage-Clamp,Technique, Patch Clamp,Technique, Patch-Clamp,Technique, Voltage-Clamp,Techniques, Patch Clamp,Techniques, Patch-Clamp,Techniques, Voltage-Clamp,Voltage Clamp Technic,Voltage Clamp Technics,Voltage Clamp Technique,Voltage Clamp Techniques,Whole Cell Recording,Whole-Cell Recordings