title: The effects of homologous series of anaesthetics on a resting potassium conductance of the squid giant axon.
abstract: The effects of n-alkanes (n-pentane to n-octane), n-alkanols (n-pentanol to n-undecanol) and two carboxylic esters (methyl pentanoate and methyl octanoate) on the conductance of squid giant axons in a high potassium, zero sodium bathing solution have been examined. Sodium and delayed rectifier potassium channels were as far as possible pharmacologically blocked. A substantial fraction of the measured conductance is attributed to a recently-described, voltage-independent, potassium channel. Anaesthetics block this channel but its sensitivity is markedly different from those of other squid axon ion channels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Physiology, University, Dundee, U.K.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Elliott
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Elliott
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Haydon
mesh_terms: D000777:Anesthetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002210:Caprylates / Q000494:pharmacology; D049832:Decapodiformes; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D004594:Electrophysiology; D009795:Octanes / Q000494:pharmacology; D010420:Pentanes / Q000494:pharmacology; D000439:Pentanols / Q000494:pharmacology; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism*; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000187:drug effects*; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000777:Anesthetics; D002210:Caprylates; D009795:Octanes; D010420:Pentanes; D000439:Pentanols; D015221:Potassium Channels; C033353:pentane; C039151:methyl octanoate; D012964:Sodium; C024999:n-pentanol; D011188:Potassium; C026728:octane