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Modulation of the gating of the transient outward potassium current of rat isolated cerebellar granule neurons by lanthanum

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Abstract

The effects of the trivalent cation, lanthanum (La3+) on voltage-dependent K+ conductances were studied in rat isolated cerebellar granule neurons under whole-cell voltage-clamp conditions. La3+ at low micromolar concentrations caused a pronounced enhancement in the outward current evoked by depolarising steps from −50 mV, with the apparent recruitment of an inactivating component. The steady-state inactivation curve for the transient outward current, evoked by depolarising steps from −140 mV, was shifted by approximately 40 mV in the depolarising direction by 10 μM La3+, with a slight increase in the slope factor. The kinetics of activation and inactivation were slowed in the presence of La3+. A shift of 10 mV in the depolarising direction was seen for the activation curve of the delayed rectifier current in the presence of 10 μM La3+. These results indicate that La3+ has a potent effect on the gating characteristics of voltage-activated K+ currents. This effect cannot be explained by surface charge considerations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology, Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, NW3 2PF, London, UK

    Christopher S. Watkins & Alistair Mathie

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  1. Christopher S. Watkins
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  2. Alistair Mathie
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Watkins, C.S., Mathie, A. Modulation of the gating of the transient outward potassium current of rat isolated cerebellar granule neurons by lanthanum. Pflügers Arch. 428, 209–216 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00724499

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00724499

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