Hyperpolarizing potentials induced by Ca-mediated K-conductance increase in hamster submandibular ganglion cells

The mechanisms of three types of hyperpolarizing electrogenesis in hamster submandibular ganglion cells were analyzed with intracellular microelectrodes. These included (1) spike-induced hyperpolarizing afterpotential (S-HAP), (2) spontaneous transient hyperpolarizing potential (HP), and (3) the hyperpolarizing (H) phase of postsynaptic potential (PSP). Most of these hyperpolarizing potentials were due to conductance increases and reversed polarity at membrane potential (E_m) between ?70 and ?85 mV, which was close to the K-equilibrium potential. The average resting potential of ganglion cells was ?53 mV. Action potential overshoot increased slightly in high Ca²⁺]₀ and decreased in low Ca²⁺]₀. In most neurons action potentials were completely suppressed by 10^?7 M tetrodotoxin (TTX). The S-HAP has an initial component due to delayed rectification and a late component. The late component is enhanced by increasing Ca²⁺]₀, or by applying Ca-ionophore (A23187), TEA, caffeine, or dibutyryl cyclic (DBc-) AMP; it is suppressed by decreasing Ca²⁺]₀, or by applying Mn²⁺. Perfusion with Cl^?-free saline reduced membrane potential slightly but did not modify the S-HAP. Depolarizing pulses also induced hyperpolarizing afterpotential (D-HAP), similar to the S-HAP. Spontaneous transient HPs occurred in some neurons at irregular intervals. HPs were insensitive to TTX but were suppressed by Mn²⁺. Caffeine induced low frequency rhythmic HPs in many neurons, often alternating with periods of repetitive spiking. The PSP was a monophasic depolarizing (D-) potential in some neurons, but in others the D-phase was followed by a small H-phase. Perfusion with A23187, caffeine or DBc-AMP increased the H-phase of the PSP. Perfusion with K⁺-free saline or treatment with 10^?5M ouabain did not abolish the H-phase of PSPs. These membrane potential-dependent phenomena appear to be induced mainly by Ca-mediated K-conductance increases. This mechanism contributes to the regulation of low-frequency repetitive firing in submandibular ganglion cells.