Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effects of potassium, lanthanum and black widow spider venom on miniature synaptic potentials in theTorpedo electroplax

  • Published:
Journal of comparative physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Using a method of focal drug application it is demonstrated that high potassium concentration, lanthanum, and black widow spider venom accelerate spontaneous transmitter release inTorpedo electric tissue.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Brock, L. G., Eccles, R. M.: The membrane potentials during rest and activity of the ray electroplate. J. Physiol. (Lond.)142, 251–274 (1958)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunant, Y., Gautron, J., Israël, M., Lesbats, B., Manaranche, R.: Effet de la stimulation de l'organe électrique de la Torpille sur les “compartiments libre et lié” d'acétylcholine. C. R. Acad. Sci. (Paris)273, 233–236 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gage, P. W., Quastel, D. M. J.: Dual effect of potassium on transmitter release. Nature (Lond.)206, 625–626 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Heuser, J., Miledi, R.: Effect of lanthanum ions on function and structure of frog neuromuscular junctions. Proc. roy. Soc. B179, 247–260 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Longenecker, H. E., Jr., Hurlbut, W. P., Mauro, A., Clark, A. W.: Effects of black widow spider venom on the frog neuromuscular junction. Nature (Lond.)225, 701–703 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Miledi, R., Molinoff, P., Potter, L. T.: Isolation of the cholinergic receptor protein ofTorpedo electric tissue. Nature (Lond.)229, 554–557 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nickel, E., Potter, L. T.: Ultrastructure of isolated membranes ofTorpedo electric tissue. Brain Res.57, 508–517 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Turkanis, S. A.: Effects of muscle stretch on transmitter release at end-plates of rat diaphragm and frog sartorius muscle. J. Physiol. (Lond.)230, 391–403 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Whittaker, V. P., Dowdall, M. J., Boyne, A. F.: The storage and release of acetylcholine by cholinergic nerve terminals: recent results with non-mammalian preparations. Biochem. Soc. Symp.36, 49–68 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fachbereich Biologie, Universität Konstanz, Germany

    Christian Walther

Authors
  1. Christian Walther
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

This investigation was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Sonderforschungsbereich 138). Thanks are due to Dr. R. Martin and the staff of the Stazione Zoologica, Naples, for supplyingTorpedo, and Dr. N. Frontali, Rome, for a gift of frozen black widow spiders.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Walther, C. Effects of potassium, lanthanum and black widow spider venom on miniature synaptic potentials in theTorpedo electroplax. J. Comp. Physiol. 90, 71–73 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00698368

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00698368

Keywords

Search

Navigation