Permeation of Na+ through a delayed rectifier K+ channel in chick dorsal root ganglion neurons

In whole-cell patch clamp recordings from chick dorsal root ganglion neurons, removal of intracellular K+ resulted in the appearance of a large, voltage-dependent inward tail current (Icat). Icat was not Ca2+ dependent and was not blocked by Cd2+, but was blocked by Ba2+. The reversal potential for Icat shifted with the Nernst potential for [Na+]. The channel responsible for Icat had a cation permeability sequence of Na+ >> Li+ >> TMA+ > NMG+ (PX/PNa = 1:0.33:0.1:0) and was impermeable to Cl-. Addition of high intracellular concentrations of K+, Cs+, or Rb+ prevented the occurrence of Icat. Inhibition of Icat by intracellular K+ was voltage dependent, with an IC50 that ranged from 3.0-8.9 mM at membrane potentials between -50 and -110 mV. This voltage- dependent shift in IC50 (e-fold per 52 mV) is consistent with a single cation binding site approximately 50% of the distance into the membrane field. Icat displayed anomolous mole fraction behavior with respect to Na+ and K+; Icat was inhibited by 5 mM extracellular K+ in the presence of 160 mM Na+ and potentiated by equimolar substitution of 80 mM K+ for Na+. The percent inhibition produced by both extracellular and intracellular K+ at 5 mM was identical. Reversal potential measurements revealed that K+ was 65-105 times more permeant than Na+ through the Icat channel. Icat exhibited the same voltage and time dependence of inactivation, the same voltage dependence of activation, and the same macroscopic conductance as the delayed rectifier K+ current in these neurons. We conclude that Icat is a Na+ current that passes through a delayed rectifier K+ channel when intracellular K+ is reduced to below 30 mM. At intracellular K+ concentrations between 1 and 30 mM, PK/PNa remained constant while the conductance at -50 mV varied from 80 to 0% of maximum. These data suggest that the high selectivity of these channels for K+ over Na+ is due to the inability of Na+ to compete with K+ for an intracellular binding site, rather than a barrier that excludes Na+ from entry into the channel or a barrier such as a selectivity filter that prevents Na+ ions from passing through the channel.     

Interactions of permeant cations with sodium channels of squid axon membranes.

To determine how the permeant cations interact with the sodium channel, the instantaneous current-voltage (I-V) relationship, conductance-ion concentration relationship, and cation selectivity of sodium channels were studied with internally perfused, voltage clamped squid giant axons in the presence of different permeant cations in the external solution. In Na-containing media, the instantaneous I-V curve was almost linear between +60 and -20 mV, but deviated from the linearity in the direction to decrease the current at more negative potentials. The linearity of instantaneous I-V curve extended to more negative potentials with lowering the external Ca concentration. The I-V curve in Li solution was almost the same as that in Na solution. The linearity of the I-V curve improved in NH4 solution exhibiting only saturation at -100 mV with no sign of further decrease in current at more negative potentials. Guanidine and formamidine further linearized the instantaneous I-V curve. The conductance of the sodium channels as measured from the tail current saturated at high concentrations of permeant cations. The apparent dissociation constants determined from the conductance-ion concentration curve at -60 mV were as follows: Na, 378 mM; Li, 247 mM; NH4, 174 mM; guanidine, 111 mM; formamidine, 103 mM. The ratio of the test cation permeability to the sodium permeability as measured from the reversal potentials of tail currents varied with the test cation concentration and/or the membrane potential. These observations are incompatible with the independence principle, and can be explained on the basis of the Eyring's rate theory. It is suggested that the slope of the instantaneous I-V curve is determined by the relative affinity of permeant cations and blocking ions (Ca) for the binding site in the sodium channel. The ionic selectivity of the channel depends on the energy barrier profile of the channel.     

Activation of AMPA/kainate receptors but not acetylcholine receptors causes Mg2+ influx into Retzius neurones of the leech Hirudo medicinalis

In Retzius neurones of the medicinal leech, Hirudo medicinalis, kainate activates ionotropic glutamate receptors classified as AMPA/kainate receptors. Activation of the AMPA/kainate receptor-coupled cation channels evokes a marked depolarization, intracellular acidification, and increases in the intracellular concentrations of Na+ ([Na+]i) and Ca2+. Qualitatively similar changes are observed upon the application of carbachol, an activator of acetylcholine receptor-coupled cation channels. Using multibarrelled ion-selective microelectrodes it was demonstrated that kainate, but not carbachol, caused additional increases in the intracellular free Mg2+ concentration ([Mg2+]i). Experiments were designed to investigate whether this kainate-induced [Mg2+]i increase was due to a direct Mg2+ influx through the AMPA/kainate receptor-coupled cation channels or a secondary effect due to the depolarization or the ionic changes. It was found that: (a) Similar [Mg2+]i increases were evoked by the application of glutamate or aspartate. (b) All kainate-induced effects were inhibited by the glutamatergic antagonist DNQX. (c) The magnitude of the [Mg2+]i increases depended on the extracellular Mg2+ concentration. (d) A reduction of the extracellular Ca2+ concentration increased kainate-induced [Mg2+]i increases, excluding possible Ca2+ interference at the Mg2+-selective microelectrode or at intracellular buffer sites. (e) Neither depolarizations evoked by the application of 30 mM K+, nor [Na+]i increases induced by the inhibition of the Na+/K+ ATPase caused comparable [Mg2+]i increases. (f) Inhibitors of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels did not affect the kainate-induced [Mg2+]i increases. Moreover, previous experiments had already shown that intracellular acidification evoked by the application of 20 mM propionate did not cause changes in [Mg2+]i. The results indicate that kainate-induced [Mg2+]i increases in leech Retzius neurones are due to an influx of extracellular Mg2+ through the AMPA/kainate receptor-coupled cation channel. Mg2+ may thus act as an intracellular signal to distinguish between glutamatergic and cholinergic activation of leech Retzius neurones.     

Charge movement by the Na/K pump in Xenopus oocytes

Pre-steady-state transient currents (1986. Nakao, M., and D. C. Gadsby. Nature [Lond.]. 323:628-630) mediated by the Na/K pump were measured under conditions for Na/Na exchange (K-free solution) in voltage- clamped Xenopus oocytes. Signal-averaged (eight times) current records obtained in response to voltage clamp steps over the range -160 to +60 mV after the addition of 100 microM dihydroouabain (DHO) or removal of external Na (control) were subtracted from test records obtained before the solution change. A slow component of DHO- or Na-sensitive difference current was consistently observed and its properties were analyzed. The quantity of charge moved was well described as a Boltzmann function of membrane potential with an apparent valence of 1.0. The relaxation rate of the current was fit by the sum of an exponentially voltage-dependent reverse rate coefficient plus a voltage- independent forward rate constant. The quantity of charge moved at the on and off of each voltage pulse was approximately equal except at extreme negative values of membrane potential where the on charge tended to be less than the off. The midpoint voltage of the charge distribution function (Vq) was shifted by -24.8 +/- 1.7 mV by changing the external [Na] in the test condition from 90 to 45 mM and by +14.7 +/- 1.7 mV by changing the test [Na] from 90 to 120 mM. A pseudo three- state model of charge translocation is discussed in which Na+ is bound and occluded at the internal face of the enzyme and is released into an external-facing high field access channel (ion well). The model predicts a shift of the charge distribution function to more hyperpolarized potentials as extracellular [Na] is lowered; however, several features of the data are not predicted by the model.     

Sodium current in voltage clamped internally perfused canine cardiac Purkinje cells.

Study of the excitatory sodium current (INa) intact heart muscle has been hampered by the limitations of voltage clamp methods in multicellular preparations that result from the presence of large series resistance and from extracellular ion accumulation and depletion. To minimize these problems we voltage clamped and internally perfused freshly isolated canine cardiac Purkinje cells using a large bore (25-microns diam) double-barreled flow-through glass suction pipette. Control of [Na+]i was demonstrated by the agreement of measured INa reversal potentials with the predictions of the Nernst relation. Series resistance measured by an independent microelectrode was comparable to values obtained in voltage clamp studies of squid axons (less than 3.0 omega-cm2). The rapid capacity transient decays (tau c less than 15 microseconds) and small deviations of membrane potential (less than 4 mV at peak INa) achieved in these experiments represent good conditions for the study of INa. We studied INa in 26 cells (temperature range 13 degrees-24 degrees C) with 120 or 45 mM [Na+]o and 15 mM [Na+]i. Time to peak INa at 18 degrees C ranged from 1.0 ms (-40 mV) to less than 250 microseconds (+ 40 mV), and INa decayed with a time course best described by two time constants in the voltage range -60 to -10 mV. Normalized peak INa in eight cells at 18 degrees C was 2.0 +/- 0.2 mA/cm2 with [Na+]o 45 mM and 4.1 +/- 0.6 mA/cm2 with [Na+]o 120 mM. These large peak current measurements require a high density of Na+ channels. It is estimated that 67 +/- 6 channels/micron 2 are open at peak INa, and from integrated INa as many as 260 Na+ channels/micron2 are available for opening in canine cardiac Purkinje cells.     

Inward current generated by Na-Ca exchange during the action potential in single atrial cells of the rabbit.

To investigate the underlying ionic mechanism of the late plateau phase of the action potential in rabbit atrium the whole-cell patch-clamp technique with intracellular perfusion was used. We recorded the inward current during repolarizations following a brief 2 ms depolarizing pulse to +40 mV from a holding potential of between -70 and -80 mV. The development of this current coincides with the onset of the late plateau phase of the action potential. Peak activation of the current occurs about 10 ms from the beginning of the depolarizing pulse, and it decays spontaneously with a slow timecourse. Its voltage dependency from -40 mV to +40 mV shows very steep activation (-40 to -20 mV) and shows almost the same maximum magnitude between -10 mV and +40 mV. This behaviour is quite different from that of the calcium current. The inward current and the late plateau phase of the action potential were both abolished by the application of 5 mM EGTA, 1 microM ryanodine and by reducing the Na+ gradient. The fully activated current-voltage relation of the inward current was plotted as the difference current before and after treatment with Ryanodine, Diltiazem, 20 mM Na+ inside or 30% Na+ outside and shows an exponential voltage dependence with the largest magnitude of the current occurring at negative potentials. The current-voltage (I-V) curve was well fitted by the Na-Ca exchange equation, i = A exp (-(1 - r)EF/RT). The results suggest that the inward current contributes to the generation of the late plateau phase of the rabbit atrial action potential, and is activated by intracellular calcium released from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium release appears to be triggered both by the membrane voltage and by the calcium current. It is concluded that the inward current is generated by Na-Ca exchange.     

Voltage-dependent calcium and calcium-activated potassium currents of a molluscan photoreceptor

Two-microelectrode voltage clamp studies were performed on the somata of Hermissenda Type B photoreceptors that had been isolated by axotomy from all synaptic interaction as well as any impulse-generating (i.e., active) membrane. In the presence of 2-10 mM 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) and 100 mM tetraethylammonium ion (TEA), which eliminated two previously described voltage-dependent potassium currents (IA and the delayed rectifier), a voltage-dependent outward current was apparent in the steady state responses to command voltage steps more positive than -40 mV (absolute). This current increased with increasing external Ca++. The magnitude of the outward current decreased and an inward current became apparent following EGTA injection. Substitution of external Ba++ for Ca++ also made the inward current more apparent. This inward current, which was almost eliminated after being exposed for approximately 5 min to a solution in which external Ca++ was replaced with Cd++, was maximally activated at approximately 0 mV. Elevation of external potassium allowed the calcium (ICa++) and calcium-dependent K+ (IC) currents to be substantially separated. Command pulses to 0 mV elicited maximal ICa++ but no IC because no K+ currents flowed at their new reversal potential (0 mV) in 300 mM K+. At a holding potential of -60 mV, which was now more negative than the potassium equilibrium potential, EK+, in 300 mM K+, IC appeared as an inward tail current after positive command steps. The voltage dependence of ICa++ was demonstrated with positive steps in 100 mM Ba++, 4-AP, and TEA. Other data indicated that in 10 mM Ca++, IC underwent pronounced and prolonged inactivation whereas ICa++ did not. When the photoreceptor was stimulated with a light step (with the membrane potential held at -60 mV), there was also a prolonged inactivation of IC. In elevated external Ca++, ICa++ also showed similar inactivation. These data suggest that IC may undergo prolonged inactivation due to a direct effect of elevated intracellular Ca++, as was previously shown for a voltage-dependent potassium current, IA. These results are discussed in relation to the production of training-induced changes of membrane currents on retention days of associative learning.     

Kainate responses of leech Retzius neurons in situ and in vitro

Responses to the ionotropic glutamate receptor agonist kainate were measured in Retzius cells (RCs) of intact segmental ganglia (in situ), acutely isolated RCs, and cultured RCs (in vitro) of the leech Hirudo medicinalis. RCs in intact ganglia responded to kainate (5–20 μM) with depolarizations up to 30 mV or with an inward current under voltage-clamp that reversed near -10 mV. The membrane conductance increased by a factor of 2.5 at a holding potential of -70 mV in the presence of 20 μM kainate. In RCs in situ the membrane responses to 5 μM kainate increased when applied repeatedly 3-5 times. After this potentiation, the amplitude and time course of the membrane responses to 5 μM kainate were similar to the membrane response to 20 μM kainate. In current-clamp experiments kainate evoked an increase in intracellular calcium concentrations ([Ca²⁺]¡) only when the membrane depolarized beyond -40 mV. In voltage-clamped RCs at a holding potential of -70 mV, kainate caused no significant rise in [Ca²⁺]¡, indicating that the Ca²⁺ permeability of these kainate-gated ion channels appears to be negligible. The potentiation of the kainate-induced responses in RCs in situ was also present in voltage-clamped cells, where no or only small changes in [Ca²⁺]¡ occurred, suggesting that the underlying mechanism seemed to be independent of intracellular Ca²⁺ changes. In addition, the potentiation of the kainate-induced membrane responses was unaffected by cyclothiazide (100 μM), concanavalin A (0.5 mg/mL), and in the presence of extracellular low-Ca²⁺ and high-Mg²⁺ concentrations to suppress synaptic transmission in the ganglion. During whole-cell patch-clamp recordings (up to 50 min) potentiation remained the same indicating that small intracellular messenger molecules, which would be expected to dissipate, were not likely to be involved in mediating this potentiation. In acutely isolated RCs kainate induced no or only very small voltage responses. A potentiation of the kainate response was never observed in acutely isolated RCs. In cultured RCs (2–7 days in vitro) kainate evoked membrane responses with no apparent potentiation. Cultured RCs also responded with Ca²⁺ transients only when depolarized beyond -40 mV. The results show that RCs respond differently to kainate when kept isolated in culture compared to RCs in intact ganglia. The mechanism underlying the potentiation of the kainate response of RCs in situ, however, could not yet be identified. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

The role of Na,K-ATPase alpha subunit serine 775 and glutamate 779 in determining the extracellular K+ and membrane potential-dependent properties of the Na,K-pump

The roles of Ser775 and Glu779, two amino acids in the putative fifth transmembrane segment of the Na,K-ATPase alpha subunit, in determining the voltage and extracellular K+ (K+(o)) dependence of enzyme-mediated ion transport, were examined in this study. HeLa cells expressing the alpha1 subunit of sheep Na,K-ATPase were voltage clamped via patch electrodes containing solutions with 115 mM Na+ (37 degrees C). Na,K-pump current produced by the ouabain-resistant control enzyme (RD), containing amino acid substitutions Gln111Arg and Asn122Asp, displayed a membrane potential and K+(o) dependence similar to wild-type Na,K-ATPase during superfusion with 0 and 148 mM Na+-containing salt solutions. Additional substitution of alanine at Ser775 or Glu779 produced 155- and 15-fold increases, respectively, in the K+(o) concentration that half-maximally activated Na,K-pump current at 0 mV in extracellular Na+-free solutions. However, the voltage dependence of Na,K-pump current was unchanged in RD and alanine-substituted enzymes. Thus, large changes in apparent K+(o) affinity could be produced by mutations in the fifth transmembrane segment of the Na,K-ATPase with little effect on voltage-dependent properties of K+ transport. One interpretation of these results is that protein structures responsible for the kinetics of K+(o) binding and/or occlusion may be distinct, at least in part, from those that are responsible for the voltage dependence of K+(o) binding to the Na,K-ATPase.     

A long-lasting electrically mediated block, due to the egg membrane hyperpolarization at fertilization, ensures physiological monospermy in eggs of the crab Maia squinado

In response to fertilization, the membrane potential (Em) of the crab egg hyperpolarizes from about -50 mV to about -80 mV in 400 msec. To establish whether this fast hyperpolarization is correlated with physiological polyspermy or conversely mediates an electrical block to polyspermy, we examined the morphological and electrophysiological characteristics of eggs from the crab Maia squinado. Fertilized naturally spawned eggs were found to be physiologically monospermic and their average Em was constant at -77 +/- 0.5 mV. To examine a possible electrical block ensuring this monospermy, unfertilized eggs were voltage clamped at various Em values ranging from +20 to -90 mV, inseminated, and examined morphologically. All eggs clamped at +20 to -65 mV responded by developing a fertilization current, If. It consisted of an outwardly directed K+ current in one or several steps, each caused by a single spermatozoon interacting with the egg membrane. The percentage of eggs clamped at values more negative than -65 mV, which responded at insemination by developing an If, decreased and dropped to 0 at -80 mV. This indicated that the membrane processes occurring during the contact between gametes and eliciting an electrical response by the egg membrane are voltage dependent. Further, the spermatozoon never penetrated into eggs voltage clamped at a Em between +20 and -60 mV and at voltages more negative than -75 mV. Em values between -65 and -75 mV were required for spermatozoon incorporation into the egg, indicating that sperm entry is also voltage dependent. It is proposed that the hyperpolarization of the egg membrane in response to fertilization constitutes a long-lasting electrical block to polyspermy in crab eggs.     

Voltage clamp analysis of two inward current mechanisms in the egg cell membrane of a starfish

Ionic mechanisms of excitation were studied in the immature egg cell membrane of a starfish, Mediaster aequalis, by analyzing membrane currents during voltage clamp. The cell membrane shows two different inward current mechanisms. One is activated at a membrane potential of -55 approximately -50 mV and the other at -7 approximately -6 mV. They are referred to as channels I and II, respectively. A similar difference is also found in the membrane potential of half inactivation. Currents of the two channels can, therefore, be separated by selective inactivation. The currents of both channels depend on Ca++ (Sr++ or Ba++) but only the current of channel I depends on Na+. The time-course of current differs significantly between the two channels when compared at the same membrane potential. The relationship between the membrane current and the concentration of the permeant ions is also different between the two channels. The result suggests that channel II is a more saturable system. The sensitivity of the current to blocking cations such as Co++ or Mg++ is substantially greater in channel II than in channel I. Currents of both channels depend on the external pH with an apparent pK of 5.6. They are insensitive to 3 muM tetrodotoxin (TTX) but are eliminated totally by 7.3 mM procaine. The properties of channel II are similar to those of the Ca channel found in various adult tissues. The properties of channel I differ, however, from those of either the typical Ca or Na channels. Although the current of the channel depends on the external Na the amplitude of the Na current decreases not only with the Na concentration but also with the Ca concentration. No selectivity is found among Li+, Na+, Rb+, and Cs+. The experimental result suggests that Na+ does not carry current but modifies the current carried by Ca in channel I.     

T-type Ca2+ channel lowers the threshold of spike generation in the newt olfactory receptor cell

Mechanisms underlying action potential generation in the newt olfactory receptor cell were investigated by using the whole-cell version of the patch-clamp technique. Isolated olfactory cells had a resting membrane potential of -70 +/- 9 mV. Injection of a depolarizing current step triggered action potentials under current clamp condition. The amplitude of the action potential was reduced by lowering external Na+ concentration. After a complete removal of Na+, however, cells still showed action potentials which was abolished either by Ca2+ removal or by an application of Ca2+ channel blocker (Co2+ or Ni2+), indicating an involvement of Ca2+ current in spike generation of newt olfactory receptor cells. Under the voltage clamp condition, depolarization of the cell to -40 mV from the holding voltage of -100 mV induced a fast transient inward current, which consisted of Na+ (INa) and T-type Ca2+ (ICa.T) currents. The amplitude of ICa,T was about one fourth of that of INa. Depolarization to more positive voltages also induced L-type Ca2+ current (ICa,L). ICa,L was as small as a few pA in normal Ringer solution. The activating voltage of ICa,T was approximately 10 mV more negative than that of INa. Under current clamp, action potentials generated by a least effective depolarization was almost completely blocked by 0.1 mM Ni2+ (a specific T-type Ca2+ channel blocker) even in the presence of Na+. These results suggest that ICa,T contributes to action potential in the newt olfactory receptor cell and lowers the threshold of spike generation.     

Sodium flux ratio in Na/K pump-channels opened by palytoxin

Palytoxin binds to Na(+)/K(+) pumps in the plasma membrane of animal cells and opens an electrodiffusive cation pathway through the pumps. We investigated properties of the palytoxin-opened channels by recording macroscopic and microscopic currents in cell bodies of neurons from the giant fiber lobe, and by simultaneously measuring net current and (22)Na(+) efflux in voltage-clamped, internally dialyzed giant axons of the squid Loligo pealei. The conductance of single palytoxin-bound "pump-channels" in outside-out patches was approximately 7 pS in symmetrical 500 mM [Na(+)], comparable to findings in other cells. In these high-[Na(+)], K(+)-free solutions, with 5 mM cytoplasmic [ATP], the K(0.5) for palytoxin action was approximately 70 pM. The pump-channels were approximately 40-50 times less permeable to N-methyl-d-glucamine (NMG(+)) than to Na(+). The reversal potential of palytoxin-elicited current under biionic conditions, with the same concentration of a different permeant cation on each side of the membrane, was independent of the concentration of those ions over the range 55-550 mM. In giant axons, the Ussing flux ratio exponent (n') for Na(+) movements through palytoxin-bound pump-channels, over a 100-400 mM range of external [Na(+)] and 0 to -40 mV range of membrane potentials, averaged 1.05 +/- 0.02 (n = 28). These findings are consistent with occupancy of palytoxin-bound Na(+)/K(+) pump-channels either by a single Na(+) ion or by two Na(+) ions as might be anticipated from other work; idiosyncratic constraints are needed if the two Na(+) ions occupy a single-file pore, but not if they occupy side-by-side binding sites, as observed in related structures, and if only one of the sites is readily accessible from both sides of the membrane.     

Intestinal Na+/glucose cotransporter expressed in Xenopus oocytes is electrogenic.

The cloned rabbit intestinal Na+/glucose cotransporter was expressed in Xenopus oocytes, and transmembrane currents associated with this transporter were monitored using a two-electrode voltage clamp. Addition of D-glucose to a Na(+)-containing solution bathing these oocytes generated a current which was blocked by phlorizin. Water-injected control oocytes did not exhibit any currents under these conditions. The magnitude and shape of the currents were dependent on the extracellular glucose and Na+ concentrations and the membrane potential. At Vhold = -50 mV, the Km values for glucose and Na+ were 14 +/- 2 (N = 4) microM and 17 +/- 1 (N = 3) mM, respectively. These Km values and imax exhibited voltage dependence: increasing the membrane potential from -30 to -150 mV increased KGlcm and imax threefold and decreased KNam eightfold. The reversal potential (VR) of the phlorizin-sensitive, glucose-dependent current varied with log Nao+ (slope 46 +/- 6 [N = 9] mV). In the absence of sugar, a Na(+)-dependent, phlorizin-sensitive (Ki = 3 +/- 0.5 microM) current was detected only in RNA-injected oocytes. The amplitude of this current at -50 mV was 6 +/- 1% (N = 13) of the maximum current measured in the presence of D-glucose. The VR of this sugar-independent current varied with log Nao+ (slope 63 +/- 1 [N = 4] mV), indicating that the cotransporter may carry Na+ in the absence of sugar. We conclude that the Na+/glucose cotransporter is electrogenic and that investigations of currents associated with its operation can yield valuable insights into the mechanisms of solute translocation.     

Influence of sodium and calcium ions and membrane potential on glutamate receptor desensitization

1. The effects of Na, Ca and membrane potential on desensitization of postjunctional glutamate receptors on locust muscle were investigated. 2. The kinetics of desensitization were measured ionophoretically. 3. Replacement of Na by equimolar concentrations of the permeant cations Li, NH4 and guanidine and the impermeant cation choline accelerated desensitization onset, increased the steady-state leve of desensitization and reduced the rate of recovery from desensitization. 4. Desensitization onset rates and steady-state levels of desensitization were not significantly altered either by changing the extracellular Ca concentration or by changing the membrane potential of voltage clamped muscle fibres.     

Presteady-state and steady-state kinetics and turnover rate of the mouse gamma-aminobutyric acid transporter (mGAT3)

We expressed mouse gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transporter (mGAT3) in Xenopus laevis oocytes and examined its steady-state and presteady-state kinetics and turnover rate by using tracer flux and electrophysiological methods. In oocytes expressing mGAT3, GABA evoked a Na+-dependent and Cl(-)-facilitated inward current. The dependence on Na+ was absolute, whereas that for Cl(-) was not. At a membrane potential of -50 mV, the half-maximal concentrations for Na+, Cl(-), and GABA were 14 mM, 5 mM, and 3 microM. The Hill coefficient for GABA activation and Cl(-) enhancement of the inward current was 1, and that for Na+ activation was > or =2. The GABA-evoked inward current was directly proportional to GABA influx (2.2 +/- 0.1 charges/GABA) into cells, indicating that under these conditions, there is tight ion/GABA coupling in the transport cycle. In response to step changes in the membrane voltage and in the absence of GABA, mGAT3 exhibited presteady-state current transients (charge movements). The charge-voltage (Q-V) relation was fitted with a single Boltzmann function. The voltage at half-maximal charge (V(0.5)) was +25 mV, and the effective valence of the moveable charge (zdelta) was 1.6. In contrast to the ON transients, which relaxed with a time constant of < or =30 msec, the OFF transients had a time constant of 1.1 sec. Reduction in external Na+ ([Na+]o) and Cl(-) ([Cl(-)]o) concentrations shifted the Q-V relationship to negative membrane potentials. At zero [Na+]o (106 mM Cl(-)), no mGAT3-mediated transients were observed, and at zero [Cl(-)]o (100 mM Na+), the charge movements decreased to approximately 30% of the maximal charge (Q(max)). GABA led to the elimination of charge movements. The half-maximal concentrations for Na+ activation, Cl(-) enhancement, and GABA elimination of the charge movements were 48 mM, 19 mM, and 5 mM, respectively. Q(max) and I(max) obtained in the same cells yielded the mGAT3 turnover rate, 1.7 sec(-1) at -50 mV. The low turnover rate of mGAT3 may be due to the slow return of the empty transporter from the internal to the external membrane surface.     

Na-K pump current in the Amphiuma collecting tubule

There is strong evidence supporting the hypothesis of an electrogenic Na-K pump in the basolateral membrane of several epithelia. Thermodynamic considerations and results in nonepithelial cells indicate that the current carried by the pump could be voltage dependent. In order to measure the pump current and to determine its voltage dependence in a tight epithelium, we have used the isolated perfused collecting tubule of Amphiuma and developed a technique for clamping the basolateral membrane potential (Vbl) through transepithelial current injection. The transcellular current was calculated by subtracting the paracellular current (calculated from the transepithelial conductance measured in the presence of luminal amiloride) from the total transepithelial current. Basolateral membrane current-voltage (I-V) curves were obtained in conditions where the ratio of the pump current to the total basolateral membrane current had been maximized by loading the cells with Na+ (exposure to low-K+ bath), and by blocking the basolateral K+ conductance with barium. The pump current was defined as the difference of the current across the basolateral membrane measured before and 10-15 s after the addition of strophanthidin (20 microM) to the bath solution. With a bath solution containing 3 mM K+, the pump current was nearly constant in the Vbl range of -20 to -80 mV (52 +/- 5 microA.cm-2 at -60 mV) but showed a marked voltage dependence at higher negative Vbl (pump current decreased to 5 +/- 9 microA.cm-2 at -180 mV). In a 1.0 mM K bath, the shape of the pump I-V curve was similar but the amplitude of the current was decreased (24 +/- 4 microA.cm-2 at -60 mV). In a 0.1 mM K bath, the pump current was not significantly different from 0. Our results indicate that the basolateral Na-K pump generates a current which depends on the extracellular potassium concentration. With physiological peritubular concentration of K+ and in the physiological range of potential, the pump activity, measured as the pump-generated current, was independent of the membrane potential.     

Voltage-dependent and odorant-regulated currents in isolated olfactory receptor neurons of the channel catfish.

The electrical properties of olfactory receptor neurons, enzymatically dissociated from the channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), were studied using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Six voltage-dependent ionic currents were isolated. Transient inward currents (0.1-1.7 nA) were observed in response to depolarizing voltage steps from a holding potential of -80 mV in all neurons examined. They activated between -70 and -50 mV and were blocked by addition of 1 microM tetrodotoxin (TTX) to the bath or by replacing Na+ in the bath with N-methyl-D-glucamine and were classified as Na+ currents. Sustained inward currents, observed in most neurons examined when Na+ inward currents were blocked with TTX and outward currents were blocked by replacing K+ in the pipette solution with Cs+ and by addition of 10 mM Ba2+ to the bath, activated between -40 and -30 mV, reached a peak at 0 mV, and were blocked by 5 microM nimodipine. These currents were classified as L-type Ca2+ currents. Large, slowly activating outward currents that were blocked by simultaneous replacement of K+ in the pipette with Cs+ and addition of Ba2+ to the bath were observed in all olfactory neurons examined. The outward K+ currents activated over approximately the same range as the Na+ currents (-60 to -50 mV), but the Na+ currents were larger at the normal resting potential of the neurons (-45 +/- 11 mV, mean +/- SD, n = 52). Four different types of K+ currents could be differentiated: a Ca(2+)-activated K+ current, a transient K+ current, a delayed rectifier K+ current, and an inward rectifier K+ current. Spontaneous action potentials of varying amplitude were sometimes observed in the cell-attached recording configuration. Action potentials were not observed in whole-cell recordings with normal internal solution (K+ = 100 mM) in the pipette, but frequently appeared when K+ was reduced to 85 mM. These observations suggest that the membrane potential and action potential amplitude of catfish olfactory neurons are significantly affected by the activity of single channels due to the high input resistance (6.6 +/- 5.2 G omega, n = 20) and low membrane capacitance (2.1 +/- 1.1 pF, n = 46) of the cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Na+ and K+ transport at basolateral membranes of epithelial cells. III. Voltage independence of basolateral membrane Na+ efflux

Na+ efflux across basolateral membranes of isolated epithelia of frog skin was tested for voltage sensitivity. The intracellular Na+ transport pool was loaded with 24Na from the apical solution and the rate of isotope appearance in the basolateral solution (JNa23) was measured at timed intervals of 30 s. Basolateral membrane voltage was depolarized by either 50 mM K+, 5 mM Ba++, or 80 mM NH+4. Whereas within 30 s ouabain caused inhibition of JNa23, depolarization of Vb by 30-60 mV caused no significant change of JNa23. Thus, both pump-mediated and leak Na+ effluxes were voltage independent. Although the pumps are electrogenic, pump-mediated Na+ efflux is voltage independent, perhaps because of a nonlinear relationship between pump current and transmembrane voltage. Voltage independence of the leak Na+ efflux confirms a previous suggestion (Cox and Helman, 1983. American Journal of Physiology. 245:F312-F321) that basolateral membrane Na+ leak fluxes are electroneutral.     

Calcium channel currents in isolated smooth muscle cells from human bronchus

An electrophysiological study was carried out on smooth muscle cells that were enzymatically dissociated from bundles of muscle fibers dissected out of human bronchi obtained at thoracotomy. These cells that retain the contractile properties of intact bundles were voltage-clamped by means of the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Upon voltage steps from a holding potential of -60 mV to more positive levels, the initial inward current was followed by large outward currents that inactivated slowly. These were subsequently reduced by substituting Cs+ for K+ in the internal solution and by using Ba2+ instead of Ca2+ as a charge carrier in the external solution. Under these conditions, the inward current did not completely inactivate in the course of 300-ms voltage steps. Inward current measured after leak subtraction was activated at a membrane potential of -25.8 +/- 5 mV, was maximum at +18 +/- 4 mV, and had an apparent reversal potential of +52.5 +/- 5.5 mV (n = 5). The potential at which steady-state inactivation was half-maximum was -28 mV (n = 5). This inward current was identified as a calcium current on the following basis: 1) it was not altered by 10 microM tetrodotoxin (TTX) or by lowering to 10 mM external Na+ concentration; 2) it was blocked by 2.5 mM Co2+ or 1 microM PN 200-110; 3) it was enhanced by 1 microM BAY K 8644, which in addition suppressed the PN 200-110 blockade.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)