Summary
It is generally accepted that the mechanism for electrotonic coupling involves the presence of hydrophilic channels connecting the cytoplasm of neighboring cells. These channels are presumed to be water filled holes. To test this hypothesis, we measured the temperature dependence of coupling parameters and calculated the specific resistance of junctional synapses of crayfish segmented axons. Results demostrate that: (i) low temperature increases the junctional resistance in a manner that depends on the time course of cooling; (ii) the specific junctional resistance is, at most, 1–20 Ω cm2. These results are consistent with a hypothesis of cell communication based on hydrophilic channels and suggest the presence of a temperature-dependent component of these channels.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Asada, Y., Bennett, M.V.L. 1971. Experimental alteration of coupling resistance at an electrotonic synapse.J. Cell Biol. 49:159
Bennett, M.V.L., Spira, M.E., Pappas, G.D. 1972. Properties of electrotonic junctions between embryonic cells ofFundulus.Dev. Biol. 29:419
Brink, P., Barr, L. 1977. The resistance of the septum of the median giant axon of earthworm.J. Gen. Physiol. 69:517
Cole, K.S. 1968. Membranes, Ions and Impulses. University of California Press, Berkeley-Los Angeles
Furshpan, E.J., Potter, D.D. 1968. Low resistance junctions between cells in embryos and tissue culture.In: Current Topics in Developmental Biology. A.A. Moscona and A. Monroy, editors. Vol. 3, pp. 95–127. Academic Press, New York
Hama, K. 1961. Some observations on the fine structure of the giant fibers of crayfishes (Cambarus virilus andCambarus clarkii) with special reference to the submicroscopic organization of the synapses.Anat. Rec. 141:275
Huxley, A.F. 1959. Ion movement during nerve activity.Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 81:221
Johnson, G.E. 1924. Giant nerve fibers in crustaceans with special reference toCambarus andPalaemonetes.J. Comp. Neurol. 36:323
Loewenstein, W.R. 1966. Permeability of cell junctions.Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 137:441
Makowsky, L., Caspar, L.D., Phillips, W.C., Goodenough, D.A. 1977. Gap-junctions structures. II. Analysis of the X-ray diffraction data.J. Cell Biol. 74:629
McNutt, N.S., Weinstein, R.S. 1970. The ultrastructure of the nexus. A correlated thin-section and freeze-cleave study.J. Cell Biol. 45:666
Pappas, G.D., Asada, Y., Bennett, M.V.L. 1971. Morphological correlates of increased coupling resistance at an electrotonic synapse.J. Cell Biol. 49:173
Payton, B.W., Bennett, M.V.L., Pappas, G.D. 1969. Temperature dependence of resistance at an electronic synapse.Science 165:594
Politoff, A.L., Socolar, S.J., Loewenstein, W.R. 1969. Permeability of a cell membrane junction. Dependance on energy metabolism.J. Gen. Physiol. 53:498
Rose, B., Loewenstein, W.R. 1976. Permeability of a cell junction and the local cytoplasmic free ionized calcium concentration. A study with aequorin.J. Membrane Biol. 28:87
Turin, L., Warner, A. 1977. Carbon dioxide reversibly abolishes ionic communication between cells of early amphibian embryo.Nature (London) 270:56
Van Harreveld, A. 1936. A physiological solution for fresh water crustaceans.Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 34:428
Watanabe, A., Grundfest, H. 1961. Impulse propagation at the septal and commissural junctions of crayfish lateral giant axons.J. Gen. Physiol. 45:267
Zampighi, G., Ramón, F., Durán, W. 1978. Fine structure of the lateral giant axons electrotonic synapse of crayfish (Procambarus clarkii).Tissue Cell 10:413
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ramón, F., Zampighi, G. On the electrotonic coupling mechanism of crayfish segmented axons: Temperature dependence of junctional conductance. J. Membrain Biol. 54, 165–171 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01870232
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01870232