The electrophysiological properties of the parathyroid cell: results of a study employing Sprague-Dawley rats and a review of the literature.
The present work indicates that the parathyroid cell of the Sprague-Dawley rat has a resting transmembrane potential of -30.5 +/- 4.1 mV. In a review of data obtained by earlier studies using other species, it was clear that in general the parathyroid cell transmembrane potential lies between -20 mV and -45 mV, that the transmembrane K+ concentration gradient is the principal factor in determining the magnitude of the membrane potential in the resting state, and that in most species a reduction in the extracellular Ca++ leads to cellular hyperpolarization. Detailed data on cellular input resistance in intact parathyroid tissue is not as yet available; however, indirect evidence exists that direct communication of the type described between other gland cells is present between parathyroid cells, a phenomenon which allows the passage of current to flow between adjacent cells via specialised connecting structures such as gap junctions.
D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000502:physiology; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D010280:Parathyroid Glands / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium