Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A low voltage-activated, fully inactivating Ca channel in vertebrate sensory neurones

  • Letter
  • Published:

From Nature

View current issue Submit your manuscript

Abstract

Calcium channels in excitable membranes are essential for many cellular functions. Recent analyses of the burst-firing mode of some vertebrate neurones1–3 suggest that changes in their functional state are controlled by a Ca conductance that is largely inactivated at resting membrane potentials (−50 to −60 mV), but becomes activated following a conditioning hyperpolarization of the cell membrane. Here, using chick and rat sensory neurones, we present evidence for a new type of Ca channel with time- and voltage-dependent properties which is probably responsible for the inactivation behaviour of the Ca conductance. At membrane potentials between −50 and +10 mV, openings of this channel last 3–6 ms and tend to occur in rapid succession. Inactivation of this channel is indicated by prolonged and eventually complete closures brought about by long-lasting depolarizing voltage steps. This channel coexists in isolated membrane patches with the more common Ca channel4 which is less sensitive to changes in holding potential and shows a considerably shorter average life time and smaller currents.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Llinas, R. & Yarom, Y. J. Physiol., Lond. 315, 569–584 (1981).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Llinas, R. & Jahnsen, H. Nature 297, 406–408 (1982).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Jahnsen, H. & Llinas, R. J. Physiol., Lond. 349, 205–226 (1984).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Brown, A. M., Camerer, H., Kunze, D. L. & Lux, H. D. Nature 299, 156–158 (1982).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Barde, Y. A., Edgar, D. & Thoenen, H. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 77, 1199–1203 (1980).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Horn, R. & Patlak, J. B. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 77, 6930–6934 (1980).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Hamill, O. P. & Sakmann, B. J. Physiol., Lond. 312, 41P–42P (1981).

    Google Scholar 

  8. Hamill, O. P., Marty, A., Neher, E., Sakmann, B. & Sigworth, E. F. J. Pflügers Arch. ges. Physiol. 391, 85–100 (1981).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Carbone, E. & Lux, H. D. Biophys. J. (in the press).

  10. Fenwick, E. M., Marty, A. & Neher, E. J. Physiol., Lond. 331, 599–635 (1982).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Adams, D. J. & Gage, P. W. J. Physiol., London. 291, 467–481 (1979).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Lux, H. D. & Brown, A. M. J. gen. Physiol. 83, 727–750 (1984).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Hagiwara, S. & Byerly, L. A. Rev. Neurosci. 4, 69–125 (1981).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Lux, H. D. in Single-Channel Recording (eds Sakmann, B. & Neher, E.) 437–449 (Plenum, New York, 1983).

    Book  Google Scholar 

  15. Nagy, K., Kiss, T. & Hof, D. Pflügers Arch ges. Physiol. 399, 302–308 (1983).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Hagiwara, S., Ozawa, S. & Sand, O. J. gen. Physiol. 65, 617–644 (1975).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurophysiology, Max-Planck-Institute for Psychiatry, D-8033, Planegg-Martinsried, FRG

    E. Carbone & H. D. Lux

Authors
  1. E. Carbone
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. H. D. Lux
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Carbone, E., Lux, H. A low voltage-activated, fully inactivating Ca channel in vertebrate sensory neurones. Nature 310, 501–502 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1038/310501a0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/310501a0

  • Springer Nature Limited

Search

Navigation