Potassium channels in synaptosomal membrane examined using patch-clamp techniques and reconstituted giant proteoliposomes |
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Authors: | N Hirashima Y Kirino |
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Affiliation: | Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan. |
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Abstract: | Synaptosomes isolated from the rat cerebral cortex were mixed with sonicated phospholipid vesicles and subjected to freezing-thawing to acquire giant proteoliposomes. Membranes of these giant proteoliposomes could thus be studied using patch-clamp techniques. Single-channel currents were measured with the inside-out patch of the membrane, in KCl solutions. Three different potassium channels were detected and unit conductances were 15.1, 28.6 and 91.0 pS, respectively, in a symmetrical 150 mM KCl solution. All these channels are more permeable to potassium than to sodium ions, the permeability ratio being about 2:1. Tetraethylammonium ions blocked these channels. The gating of these potassium channels is independent of the membrane potential. Presumably, these channels play a role in the resting membrane potential of presynaptic nerve terminals. |
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