Single-channel currents underlying glycinergic inhibitory postsynaptic responses in spinal neurons.
Single-channel properties of glycine receptors have been characterized so far only in cultured neurons. To characterize the glycine receptor channels in situ, we applied the patch-clamp technique to spinal neurons in slice preparations. Glycine-gated, single-channel currents were recorded in outside-out patches excised from spinal neurons. In the falling phase of glycinergic inhibitory synaptic currents, single-channel currents were resolved as discrete steps. In both cases, the glycine-gated channels showed similar multiple conductance levels. These results suggest that the receptor channel properties are indistinguishable in the synaptic and extrasynaptic sites. We conclude that multiple conductance states of a receptor channel are the native feature of the glycine receptor in situ.
Takahashi
T
T
Department of Physiology, Kyoto University Faculty of Medicine, Japan.
Momiyama
A
A
D018750:6-Cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D005998:Glycine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D015640:Ion Channel Gating; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D011810:Quinoxalines / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D018009:Receptors, Glycine; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000502:physiology*; D013569:Synapses / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
D007473:Ion Channels; D011810:Quinoxalines; D018009:Receptors, Glycine; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter; D018750:6-Cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione; D005998:Glycine