Abstract
In the cilia of amphibian olfactory receptor neurons, odorants elicit a receptor current that has two components: a cationic current through CAMP-gated channels and a Cl − current. Here, a cascade of ciliary currents that accounts for the total receptor current is demonstrated. In isolated olfactory cilia, cAMP sequentially activates two currents. The first is a primary cationic current through channels directly gated by CAMP. Part of this current is carried by Ca 2+, which in turn activates a Cl − current. This secondary current is eliminated by the presence of CI − channel inhibitors, replacement of Cl − with methanesulfonate −, removal of external Ca 2+, or blockers of the cAMP-gated cationic channels. When cytoplasmic Ca 2+ buffering is low, small cationic currents can activate Cl − currents that are 20 times larger.
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