Pflügers Archiv

, Volume 419, Issue 3–4, pp 281–287 | Cite as

Dihydropyridines interact with calcium-independent potassium currents in embryonic mammalian sensory neurons

  • J. Valmier
  • S. Richard
  • E. Devic
  • J. Nargeot
  • M. Simonneau
  • M. Baldy-Moulinier
Excitable Tissues and Central Nervous Physiology
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:

Abstract

Early embryonic sensory neurons have two K currents resembling delayed rectifier and transient K currents of mature neurons. However, in contrast to those of adult neurons, the embryonic currents can hardly be separated either by electrophysiological or pharmacological methods, limiting their characterisation at these developmental stages. Using the whole-cell recording technique, we found that dihydropyridines (DHPs) inhibit the non-inactivating component of the Ca-independent K currents of 13-day mouse embryo dorsal-root ganglion (DRG) cells. The inhibitory effect of nicardipine began around 0.5 μM and was nearly complete at 5 μM while Na currents were not altered. This effect was reversible and voltage-dependent. The same results were obtained using another DHP Ca antagonist, nimodipine, whereas Bay K 8644, a DHP Ca agonist, had no effect. Kinetic properties of the DHP-insensitive K current have been described and compared with those of transient K currents found in differentiated neurons. These results suggest that both Ca and K channels have DHP sites, possibly homologous, at this developmental stage. The DHP inhibition of Ca-independent K channels provides a new tool with which to study K channels both at a molecular level and during DRG development.

Key words

Sensory neurons Potassium currents Development Dihydropyridines 
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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 1991

Authors and Affiliations

  • J. Valmier
    • 1
  • S. Richard
    • 2
  • E. Devic
    • 1
  • J. Nargeot
    • 2
  • M. Simonneau
    • 3
  • M. Baldy-Moulinier
    • 1
  1. 1.Laboratoire de Médicine ExpérimentaleINSERM U 249, CNRS UPR 8402, Institut de BiologieMontpellierFrance
  2. 2.Centre de recherche de biochimie moléculaireINSERM U 249, CNRS UPR 8402MontpellierFrance
  3. 3.Laboratoire de Neurobiologie Cellulaire et MoléculaireCNRSGif sur YvetteFrance

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