Skip to main content
Log in

External K+ ions increase rate of opening of outward current channels in snail neurons

  • Excitable Tissues and Central Nervous Physiology
  • Letters and Notes
  • Published:
Pflügers Archiv Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Outward currents in isolated, internally-perfused snail neurons were slowed and reduced in amplitude by replacement of external K with Na, Cs, or tris. This behavior is not predicted by electrodiffusion theory, but can be described by a second-order kinetic model. The effect of potassium replacement is to reduce the rate constant for channel opening by aout 25% without affecting the rate constant for channel closing. The open channels may be stabilized by external potassium ions, thus increasing the mean channel open time.

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

Access this article

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Århem, P. (1980). Effects of rubidium, cesium, strontium, barium and lanthanum on ionic currents in myelinated nerve fibers fromXenopus laevis, Acta Physiol. Scand. 108, 7–16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ciani, S., Krasne, S., Miyazaki, S., Hagiwara, S. (1978). A model for anomalous rectification: Electrochemical-potential-dependent gating of membrane channels,J. Memb. Biol. 44, 103–134

    Google Scholar 

  • Connor, J.A., Stevens, C.F. (1971). Voltage clamp studies of a transient outward membrane current in gastropod neural somata,J. Physiol.213, 21–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dubois, J.M., Bergman, C. (1977). The steadystate potassium conductance of the Ranvier node at various external K-concentrations,Pflügers Arch. 370, 185–194.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eckert, R., Tillotson, D. (1978). Potassium activation associated with intraneuronal free calcium,Science 200, 437–439.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frankenhaeuser, B. (1962). Delayed currents in myelinated nerve fibres ofXenopus laevis investigated with voltage clamp technique,J. Physiol. 160, 40–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gage, P.W., Van Helden, D. (1979). Effects of permeant monovalent cations on end-plate channels,J. Physiol. 288, 509–528.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hodgkin, A.L., Huxley, A.F. (1952). A quantitative description of membrane current and its application to conduction and excitation in nerve,J. Physiol. 117, 500–544.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kerkut, G.A., Thomas, R.C. (1965). An electrogenic sodium pump in snail nerve cells,Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 14, 167–183.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, K.S., Akaike, N., Brown, A.M. (1978). Properties of internally perfused, voltage-clamped, isolated nerve cell bodies,J. Gen. Physiol. 71, 489–507

    Google Scholar 

  • Meech, R.W., Standen, N.B. (1975). Potassium activation inHelix aspersa neurons under voltage clamp: A component mediated by calcium influx,J. Physiol. 249, 211–239.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neher, E. (1971). Two fast transient current components during voltage clamp on snail neurons,J. Gen. Physiol. 58, 36–53.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neher, E., Lux, H.D. (1971). Properties of somatic membrane patches of snail neurons under voltage clamp,Pflügers Arch. 322, 35–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reuter, H., Stevens, C.F. (1980). Ion conductance and ion selectivity of potassium channels in snail neurons,J. Memb. Biol. 57, 103–118.

    Google Scholar 

  • Swenson, R.P., Armstrong, C.M. (1981). K+ channels close more slowly in the presence of external K+ and Rb+,Nature 291, 427–429.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Junge, D. External K+ ions increase rate of opening of outward current channels in snail neurons. Pflugers Arch. 394, 94–96 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01108314

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01108314

Key words

Navigation