title: Effects of external lithium on the physiology of Limulus ventral photoreceptors.
abstract: We have examined some of the physiological effects associated with the replacement of extracellular Na+ with Li+ in nominally Ca(2+)-free saline in the ventral photoreceptors of the horseshoe crab Limulus polyphemus. We observed that replacement of Na+ saline with Li+ saline induced larger voltage-activated inward currents with similar voltage dependence. These currents were absent in Tris+ saline. Anode-break excitation was maintained in Li+ saline but blocked in Tris+ saline. Regenerative events associated with quantum bumps in dark-adapted cells illuminated with dim lights were maintained in Li+ saline. Regenerative events associated with responses to moderately bright illumination were also maintained in Li+ saline. The post-illumination hyperpolarization associated with the Na+/K(+)-exchange pump (Brown & Lisman, 1972) was present after brief exposure to Li+ saline but disappeared after longer exposure. Following return to Na+ saline, the post-illumination hyperpolarization reappeared. We conclude that (1) Li+ permeates the voltage-dependent Na+ channel, GNa(V), in the photoreceptor plasma membrane; (2) Li+ supports voltage-activated physiological events normally mediated by Na+; and (3) Li+ substitution briefly supports and later inhibits the electrogenic effects of the Na+/K(+)-exchange pump. The effects of external Li+ on cellular physiology have implications for the interpretation of other studies employing Li+ extracellularly.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, Eugene.
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: O'Day
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Phillips
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004594:Electrophysiology; D006737:Horseshoe Crabs; D008027:Light; D008094:Lithium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008839:Microelectrodes; D010786:Photoreceptor Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism; D015222:Sodium Channels / Q000187:drug effects; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D015222:Sodium Channels; D008094:Lithium; D012964:Sodium; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase