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Inhibitory Action of Sodium Ions on Transmitter Release at the Motor End-plate

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Abstract

SEVERAL, inorganic cations are important in the liberation of acetylcholine during neuromuscular transmission. Extracellular calcium ions are essential for the transmitter release during the depolarization of the nerve terminals1. The mean number of packets of transmitter liberated (quantal content m) depends on the external concentration of calcium2. In this process magnesium ions compete with calcium ions3. Extracellular sodium ions also take part in the process of transmitter release by the nerve impulse. A reduction in the extracellular sodium concentration produces a large increase in the end-plate potential amplitude, and in m, at least under conditions of low external concentrations of calcium (refs. 4 and 5).

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References

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Author notes

  1. R. RAHAMIMOFF

    Present address: Department of Physiology, Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem

  2. F. COLOMO: On leave from Lab. Fisiol. UM Univ. Firenze, Impresa Elettrofisiologica, C.N.R., Italy.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biophysics, University College, University of London,

    R. RAHAMIMOFF & F. COLOMO

Authors
  1. R. RAHAMIMOFF
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  2. F. COLOMO
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RAHAMIMOFF, R., COLOMO, F. Inhibitory Action of Sodium Ions on Transmitter Release at the Motor End-plate. Nature 215, 1174–1176 (1967). https://doi.org/10.1038/2151174a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/2151174a0

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