Abstract
Current-clamp studies of cultured leech Retzius cells revealed inward rectification in the form of slow voltage sags in response to membrane hyperpolarization. Sag responses were eliminated in Na+-free saline and blocked by Cs+, but not Ba2+. Voltage clamp experiments revealed a Cs+-sensitive inward current activated by hyperpolarization negative to −70 mV. Cs+ decreased the frequency of spontaneous impulses in Retzius cells of intact ganglia. Plateau potentials were evoked in Retzius cells following block of Ca2+ influx with Ni2+ and suppression of K+ currents with internal tetraethylammonium. Plateau potentials continued to be expressed with Li+ as the charge carrier, but were eliminated when Na+ was replaced with N-methyl-d-glucamine. A persistent Na+ current with similar pharmacology that activated positive to −40 mV and reached its peak amplitude near −5 mV was identified in voltage-clamp experiments. Inactivation of the persistent Na+ current was slow and incomplete. The current was revealed by slow voltage ramps and persisted for the duration of 5-s voltage steps. Persistent Na+ current may underlie Na+-dependent bursting recorded in neurons of intact ganglia exposed to Ca2+-channel blockers.
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Accepted: 22 September 1998
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Angstadt, J. Persistent inward currents in cultured Retzius cells of the medicinal leech. J Comp Physiol A 184, 49–61 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s003590050305
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s003590050305