title: Ionic dependencies of tetrodotoxin-resistant action potentials in trigeminal root ganglion neurons.
abstract: Action potentials recorded in vitro from the perikarya of trigeminal root ganglion neurons (guinea-pig) were examined for their sensitivities to blockers of specific ion channels or to removal of certain ionic species in the bathing media. The majority (approximately 65%) of the 137 neurons exhibited action potentials following application of the Na(+)-channel blocker, tetrodotoxin. This group of neurons was selected for further investigation under conditions of extracellular K(+)-channel blockade with tetraethylammonium and 4-aminopyridine. Long-duration action potentials consisting of two distinct components could be evoked under such conditions. The fast component of the spike was abolished in Na(+)-deficient perfusion media and was sensitive to blockade by extracellular lidocaine or intracellular QX-222 applications. It is likely that the slow component was mediated mainly by Ca2+, but in Ca2(+)-deficient media. Mg2(+)-influx may have contributed to the small voltage response. The amplitude and shape of the slow component was unaffected by applications of lidocaine or QX-222. Self-sustained repetitive firing was also observed in 11 neurons in the above conditions. This activity persisted even under conditions of severe deficiencies in extracellular [Ca2+] or [Na+]. Two distinct but overlapping K(+)-conductances that were sensitive to blockade by internal Cs(+)-application and insensitive to applications of tetraethylammonium and 4-aminopyridine, appear to mediate the afterhyperpolarization of the long-duration spike. One portion of the afterhyperpolarization was 60-150 ms in duration and was unaffected by removal of Ca2+ from the extracellular media, while the other had a time-course lasting 150-250 ms and was abolished by removal of external Ca2+. In some neurons, these K(+)-conductances were blocked by high doses of doxorubicin or cisplatin. The results show that at least two ion species (Na+ and Ca2+) contribute to the formation of the tetrodotoxin-resistant, long-duration action potential in trigeminal root ganglion neurons during selective K(+)-conductance blockade and also provide evidence for Mg2+ involvement in the generation of this voltage response.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Hsiung
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Puil
mesh_terms: D015761:4-Aminopyridine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000494:pharmacology; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000494:pharmacology; D004566:Electrodes; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects*; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012964:Sodium / Q000494:pharmacology; D019789:Tetraethylammonium; D013757:Tetraethylammonium Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D013779:Tetrodotoxin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012668:Trigeminal Ganglion / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D015221:Potassium Channels; D013757:Tetraethylammonium Compounds; C006072:QX-222; D013779:Tetrodotoxin; D019789:Tetraethylammonium; D004317:Doxorubicin; D008012:Lidocaine; D012964:Sodium; D015761:4-Aminopyridine; D002945:Cisplatin; D002118:Calcium