Increase In Cation Conductance Research Articles

GABA‐mediated spatial and temporal asymmetries that contribute to the directionally selective light responses of starburst amacrine cells in retina

Starburst amacrine cells (SACs) are an essential component of the mechanism that generates direction selectivity in the retina. SACs exhibit opposite polarity, directionally selective (DS) light responses, depolarizing to stimuli that move centrifugally away from the cell through the receptive field surround, but hyperpolarizing to stimuli that move centripetally towards the cell through the surround.Recent findings suggest that (1) the intracellular chloride concentration ([Cl(−)](i)) is high in SAC proximal, but low in SAC distal dendritic compartments, so that GABA depolarizes and hyperpolarizes the proximal and distal compartments, respectively, and (2) this [Cl(−)](i) gradient plays an essential role in generating SAC DS light responses. Employing a biophysically realistic, computational model of SACs, which incorporated experimental measurements of SAC electrical properties and GABA and glutamate responses, we further investigated whether and how a [Cl(−)](i) gradient along SAC dendrites produces their DS responses. Our computational analysis suggests that robust DS light responses would be generated in both the SAC soma and distal dendrites if (1) the Cl(−) equilibrium potential is more positive in the proximal dendrite and more negative in the distal dendrite than the resting membrane potential, so that GABA depolarizes and hyperpolarizes the proximal and distal compartments, respectively, and (2) the GABA-evoked increase in the Cl(−) conductance lasts longer than the glutamate-evoked increase in cation conductance. The combination of these two specific GABA-associated spatial and temporal asymmetries, in conjunction with symmetric glutamate excitation, may underlie the opposite polarity, DS light responses of SACs.

Influenza influences ion channels

Influenza influences ion channels

5-HT excites globus pallidus neurons by multiple receptor mechanisms

Anatomical and neurochemical studies indicated that the globus pallidus receives serotonergic innervation from raphe nuclei but the membrane effects of 5-HT on globus pallidus neurons are not entirely clear. We address this question by applying whole-cell patch-clamp recordings on globus pallidus neurons in immature rat brain slices. Under current-clamp recording, 5-HT depolarized globus pallidus neurons and increased their firing rate, an action blocked by both 5-HT 4 and 5-HT 7 receptor antagonists and attributable to an increase in cation conductance(s). Further experiments indicated that 5-HT enhanced the hyperpolarization-activated inward conductance which is blocked by 5-HT 7 receptor antagonist. To determine if 5-HT exerts any presynaptic effects on GABAergic and glutamatergic inputs, the actions of 5-HT on synaptic currents were studied. At 10 μM, 5-HT increased the frequency of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs) but had no effect on both the frequency and amplitude of miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs). However, 5-HT at a higher concentration (50 μM) decreased the frequency but not the amplitude of the mIPSCs, indicating an inhibition of GABA release from the presynaptic terminals. This effect was sensitive to 5-HT 1B receptor antagonist. In addition to the presynaptic effects on GABAergic neurotransmission, 5-HT at 50 μM had no consistent effects on glutamatergic neurotransmission, significantly increased the frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) in 4 of 11 neurons and decreased the frequency of mEPSCs in 3 of 11 neurons. In conclusion, we found that 5-HT could modulate the excitability of globus pallidus neurons by both pre- and post-synaptic mechanisms. In view of the extensive innervation by globus pallidus neurons on other basal ganglia nuclei, this action of 5-HT originated from the raphe may have a profound effect on the operation of the entire basal ganglia network.

Analysis of the structure and electrophysiological actions of halitoxins: 1,3 alkyl-pyridinium salts from Callyspongia ridleyi.

We have chemically characterized a preparation of halitoxins, (1,3 alkyl-pyridinium salts) isolated from the marine sponge Callyspongia ridleyi. At concentrations of 50 and 5 microg/ml the halitoxin preparation caused irreversible membrane potential depolarization, decreased input resistance and inhibited evoked action potentials when applied to cultured dorsal root ganglion neurones. Under whole cell voltage clamp the halitoxins produced an increase in cation conductance that was attenuated by replacing sodium with N-methyl-d-glucamine. Fura-2 fluorescence ratiometric calcium imaging was used to directly measure calcium flux into neurones after exposure to halitoxins. Calcium influx, evoked by the halitoxins, persisted when the neurones were bathed in medium containing the voltage-activated calcium channel antagonists cadmium and nickel. Experiments on undifferentiated F-11 cells showed little or no calcium influx in response to depolarizing concentrations of potassium and indicated that halitoxins evoked massive calcium influx in the absence of voltage-activated calcium channels. The halitoxins also produced transient increases in intracellular calcium when F-11 cells were bathed in calcium-free medium suggesting that the toxins could release calcium from intracellular stores. The pore-forming action of the halitoxins was identified when the toxins were applied to artificial lipid bilayers composed of phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol. Halitoxins evoked channel-like activity in the lipid bilayers, with estimated unitary conductances of between 145pS and 2280pS, possibly indicating that distinct channels could be produced by the different components in the preparation of halitoxins.

Volume control in sickle cells is facilitated by the novel anion conductance inhibitor NS1652

A low cation conductance and a high anion conductance are characteristic of normal erythrocytes. In sickle cell anemia, the polymerization of hemoglobin S (HbS) under conditions of low oxygen tension is preceded by an increase in cation conductance. This increase in conductance is mediated in part through Ca(++)-activated K(+) channels. A net efflux of potassium chloride (KCl) leads to a decrease in intracellular volume, which in turn increases the rate of HbS polymerization. Treatments minimizing the passive transport of ions and solvent to prevent such volume depletion might include inhibitors targeting either the Ca(++)-activated K(+) channel or the anion conductance. NS1652 is an anion conductance inhibitor that has recently been developed. In vitro application of this compound lowers the net KCl loss from deoxygenated sickle cells from about 12 mmol/L cells/h to about 4 mmol/L cells/h, a value similar to that observed in oxygenated cells. Experiments performed in mice demonstrate that NS1652 is well tolerated and decreases red cell anion conductance in vivo. (Blood. 2000;95:1842-1848)

The Feasibility of Pharmacological Volume Control of Sickle Cells is Dependent on the Quantization of the Transport Pathways. A Model Study

Normal erythrocytes are under physiological conditions characterized by low cation and high anion conductance. However, in the case of sickle cell anemia the erythrocytes contain a modified haemoglobin, HbS, which under low oxygen tension gives rise to sickling. This condition is preceded by an increase in cation conductance, especially due to the Ca2+-activated K+-channels, leading to net-efflux of KCI and thereby decreased cellular volume, which is part of the pathological condition.A possible symptomatic treatment could be application of conductance blockers, targeting the Ca2+-activated K+-channel or the anion conductance in order to minimize the passive transport of ions and solvent. It has been argued, that due to the high anion conductance, solute loss depended at moderately increased cation conductances on the cation only. Consequently the Ca2+-activated K+-conductance should be the target for attempts to modify solute loss.It is shown that: knowledge of mean conductances (time averages) for pathways showing fluctuations are insufficient to predict the quantitative effect of conductance inhibitors, since inhibition is strongly dependent on the kinetics of the mechanisms mediating the translocation and a block of the high conductance anion pathway can be as effective as inhibition of the Ca+-activated K+-conductance with regard to net salt loss.

L-glutamate-induced responses and cGMP-activated channels in three subtypes of retinal bipolar cells dissociated from the cat

Effects of L-glutamate (Glu), the neurotransmitter released by photoreceptors, on isolated cat bipolar cells were examined. Membrane currents of bipolar cells were recorded by the patch-clamp technique in a conventional whole-cell recording configuration using pipettes containing 1 mM cGMP, which has been known to activate a cationic current sensitive to Glu in ON-type bipolar cells. ON-type bipolar cells (depolarized by light in in situ) and OFF-type bipolar cells (hyperpolarized by light) were identified by their response polarity to Glu. When the whole-cell configuration was established, ON-type bipolar cells showed a steady inward current which was suppressed by Glu, consistent with the response polarity observed in in situ recordings. In contrast, OFF-type cells did not show a steady current during the recordings. However, they responded to Glu with an increase in cationic conductance. Among recorded cells, rod-driven bipolar cells were identified by their immunoreactivity to anti-protein kinase C (PKC-IR) antibody. Examination of PKC-IR revealed that ON-type bipolar cells included both rod- and cone-driven bipolar cells, while OFF-type cells were all cone-driven bipolar cells. The cGMP-activated current observed in ON-type cells was accompanied by a change in the current fluctuation due to the opening and closing of underlying channels. Fluctuation analysis gave a unitary conductance value of 13 pS. In half of the cells examined, maximum open probability reached almost 100%. The cGMP-activated channel in bipolar cells seems novel, fundamentally different from those found in photoreceptor cells or olfactory receptor cells.

Protons activate a cation conductance in a sub‐population of rat dorsal root ganglion neurones.

1. The responses of adult and neonatal rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurones to buffered acidic solutions were studied with both voltage clamp and radioactive ion flux techniques. Electrophysiological experiments were made on acutely isolated neurones and ion flux experiments were made on cells that had been in culture for 3-6 days. 2. Acid solutions of pH < 6.2 evoked a sustained, slowly inactivating inward current in neurones voltage clamped at negative holding potentials. The size of the current increased with increasing proton concentrations. This response was restricted to a sub-population (approximately 45%) of adult and neonatal rat DRG neurones and was distinct from a rapidly activating and inactivating proton-induced inward sodium current that was also found in DRG neurones. 3. The proton-activated sustained current was due to an increase in cation conductance that allowed K+, Cs+ and Na+ to pass with PK/PNa = 1.32 and PCs/PNa = 1.12. 4. Radioactive ion efflux experiments made on neonatal rat cultured DRG neurones showed that protons also increased the permeability to both [14C]guanidinium and 86Rb+ ions. The half-maximal increase in efflux rate for 86Rb+ occurred at pH 5.8. Acid solution also stimulated the efflux of 86Rb+ in cultures of adult rat neurones. 5. Cells that showed a late, sustained proton-activated current also responded to capsaicin. In addition, no proton-activated fluxes of either [14C]guanidinium or 86Rb+ ions were observed in cultures of DRG neurones that had been treated with high concentrations of capsaicin (10 microM) to kill the capsaicin-sensitive neurones. Thus this proton-activated current is restricted largely, if not exclusively, to capsaicin-sensitive peripheral sensory neurones.