Soma spike of neuroendocrine bag cells of aplysia californica

Soma action potentials of the neuroendocrine bag cells of Aplysia californica were studied with intracellular recording and current injection. Spikes in artificial sea water (ASW) were either graded with increasing depolarizing current pulses, or had a well-defined threshold. The latter spikes typically had faster rise times with larger overshoots and hyperpolarizing afterpotentials. Repetitive stimulation led to spike potentiation (SP), manifested as an increase in overshoot amplitude and duration of successive spikes in a train. SP was usually detectable at 0.5 Hz, and maximal between 0.8 and 4 Hz. Concomitant accommodation occurred rapidly at ≥5 Hz. The increase in spike duration during SP resulted from a progressive enhancement of an inflection on the repolarizing phase. The inflection was dependent on membrane potential; small depolarizations (5–10 m V) enhanced it; hyperpolarization (<35 m V) reduced it. Solutions with O—Na⁺ (Tris-substituted) or O—Ca²⁺ (1 μM EGTA) revealed mixed Na⁺/Ca²⁺ spikes with variable degrees of Na⁺ versus Ca²⁺ dominance. Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, and Mn²⁺ reversibly abolished the inflection on the repolarizing phase, indicating that it is Ca²⁺ mediated; the spike was reduced irreversibly at higher concentrations. SP was generally reduced only if the spike was severely attenuated. It is proposed that SP results primarily from a voltage- and time-dependent potassium inactivation which then unmasks a calcium current. SP may play a role in augmenting the release of egg-laying hormone.