The Ca2+-sensitive K+-currents underlying the slow afterhyperpolarization of bullfrog sympathetic neurones (original) (raw)

Abstract

Ca2+-sensitive K+ currents involved in the slow afterhyperpolarization (a.h.p.) of an action potential of bullfrog sympathetic neurones were studied with a single-electrode voltage clamp method. The outward tail current (IAH) generated after the end of a depolarizing command pulse (from the holding potential of −60 mV to 0 mV, 5–20 ms in duration), mimicking an action potential, was separated into at least two exponential components (IAHf and IAHs). They were identified as K+ currents, since their reversal potentials were close to the K+ equilibrium potential and they were sensitive to external K+. The time constant of IAHf (t f; 44 ms at −60 mV) was decreased by membrane hyperpolarization from −40 to −80 mV, while that of IAHs (t s; 213 ms) remained constant. Removal of external Ca2+ or addition of Cd2+ significantly decreased the IAHs amplitude (As) and_t_ f without a change in_t_ s and the IAHf amplitude (Af). On the other hand, increasing Ca2+ influx by applying repetitive command pulses enhanced both Af and As with negligible effects on_t_ f and_t_ s, and produced a much slower component. Intracellular injection of EGTA reduced Af with no effect on_t_ f, and increased As with a decreased_t_ s. Both muscarine and (±)-tubocurarine, which reduced IAHs, hardly affected IAHf. These results indicate that a.h.p. is induced by the activation of two distinct Ca2+-dependent K+ channels, which differ in voltage sensitivity, Ca2+-dependence and pharmacology.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Buy Now

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

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. Kohichi Tanaka
    Present address: Department of Neurochemistry, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, 951, Niigata, Japan

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology, Saga Medical School, 840-01, Saga, Japan
    Kohichi Tanaka & Kenji Kuba

Authors

  1. Kohichi Tanaka
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
  2. Kenji Kuba
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Tanaka, K., Kuba, K. The Ca2+-sensitive K+-currents underlying the slow afterhyperpolarization of bullfrog sympathetic neurones.Pflugers Arch. 410, 234–242 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00580271

Download citation

Key words