title: Differences in the kinetics of ionic currents in the somatic membrane of identified T- and N-mechanosensory neurons of medical leech.
abstract: The ionic currents in the membrane of the body of single T- and N-mechanosensory neurons were studied. Transient inward NA+-current followed by outward K+-current was recorded in the T-cells. The current was activated at membrane potential of -40 mV, reaching its maximum at -10 mV for 2 ms, whereby the reversal potential was about 25 mV. This current was inhibited by tetrodotoxin (TTX, 3 X 10(-6) M) and was eliminated in a Na+-free medium. In an Na+-free medium no inward current was registered upon increasing the Ca2+-concentration and after substituting Ca2+ with 10 mM Ba2+. In the N-cells the inward current was activated at membrane potential of -20 mV, reaching its maximum at -5 mV for 3-4 ms, while the reversal potential was about 45 mV. A time- and potential-dependent residual inward current was observed after application of TTX (3 X 10(-6) M) or in a Na+-free medium. This current increases upon rising the concentration of Ca2+ or when Ca2+ was replaced by 10 mM Ba2+. This current was blocked by methoxyverapamil (D-600, 5 X 10(-5) M). The results obtained manifest differences in the kinetics of the Na+-channels in the T- and N-neurons. In the membranes of the T-cells the Ca2+-channels are either poorly represented or totally lacking. Ca2+-conductivity was established in the N-cells and probably in their membranes exist Ca2+-channels which participate in their excitatory processes.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Boev
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Valkanov
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials; D000818:Animals; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000378:metabolism*; D007865:Leeches / Q000378:metabolism*; D008536:Meglumine / Q000494:pharmacology; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism; D015222:Sodium Channels / Q000378:metabolism*; D019789:Tetraethylammonium; D013757:Tetraethylammonium Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D013779:Tetrodotoxin / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D015220:Calcium Channels; D015222:Sodium Channels; D013757:Tetraethylammonium Compounds; D013779:Tetrodotoxin; D019789:Tetraethylammonium; D008536:Meglumine; D012964:Sodium; D011188:Potassium