Abstract
THE response of vertebrate photoreceptors is thought to be generated by a light-dependent Na+ conductance which is relatively high in darkness and decreased by illumination, so that light hyperpolarises the membrane potential towards the potassium equilibrium potential (Eκ) (refs 1–3). However, this simple model does not explain many of the complexities of the receptor response. We have carried out experiments in which the retina was superfused with Ringer solution containing caesium chloride and we report here that many of the complexities of the receptor response can be removed reversibly by this treatment. We believe that this is because Cs+ blocks a conductance increase which is activated by membrane hyperpolarisation, and which is largely responsible for the rapid decay of the receptor potential in bright light.
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FAIN, G., QUANDT, F., BASTIAN, B. et al. Contribution of a caesium-sensitive conductance increase to the rod photoresponse. Nature 272, 467–469 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1038/272467a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/272467a0
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