title: Palytoxin induces a nonselective cation channel in single ventricular cells of rat.
abstract: Palytoxin (PTX) causes a depolarization in every excitable tissue tested. We examined whether PTX induces a channel current, which might be responsible for the depolarizing action, in single ventricular cells from rat hearts using a patch-clamp technique. In cell-attached configuration, when PTX (30 pmol/l) was present in a patch pipette, a single channel current appeared, which was different from currents through known channels. When the major cation in the pipette was Na+, the amplitude of the unitary current at the resting potential level was 0.74 +/- 0.05 pA, the slope conductance was 9 pS and the reversal potential was 79 mV positive to the resting potential. The channel was little selective between cations because it was permeable not only to Na+ but also to K+, Cs+ and Li+ although it practically did not permit the passage of choline+, TEA+, Ba2+ and Ca2+. Thus PTX induces a novel, nonselective cation channel in cardiac cells, which may result in a depolarization.
authors: Department of Veterinary Pharmacology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Japan.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Ikeda
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Mitani
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Ito
mesh_terms: D000178:Acrylamides; D000818:Animals; D003064:Cnidarian Venoms / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000187:drug effects*; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D009206:Myocardium / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D000095702:Polyether Toxins
chemical_list: D000178:Acrylamides; D003064:Cnidarian Venoms; D007473:Ion Channels; C010272:palytoxin; D000095702:Polyether Toxins