DDT: interaction with nerve membrane conductance changes.
The falling phase of action potentials of lobster giant axons is prolonged by DDT; finally a plateau phase is produced like cardiac action potentials. In axons poisoned with DDT, peak transient (sodium) currents associated with step depolarizations are turned off very slowly, and steady-state (potassium) currents are markedly suppressed. These two changes would cause the prolongation of action potentials and are considered the major ionic mechanisms of DDT action.
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D003445:Crustacea; D003634:DDT / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004594:Electrophysiology; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D011188:Potassium / Q000502:physiology; D012964:Sodium / Q000502:physiology; D014118:Toxins, Biological / Q000494:pharmacology
D014118:Toxins, Biological; D012964:Sodium; D003634:DDT; D011188:Potassium