Survival of the K+ channel in axons externally and internally perfused with K+-free media.
In perfused squid giant axons, potassium channels irreversibly deteriorate when the internal K+ is removed and replaced by impermeant ions. Under the same conditions in perfused Myxicola giant axons, the K+ conductance is also irreversibly lost with a time constant of 10-15 min. In contrast, the K+ conductance in Myxicola giant axons dialyzed with impermeant ions and bathed in monovalent cation free solutions does not deteriorate, even over 5-6 h. Thus we suggest that washout of some internal component may be an important additional factor in the deterioration of K+ channels in perfused giant axons.
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000378:metabolism*; D049832:Decapodiformes; D003956:Dialysis; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000378:metabolism*; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010477:Perfusion; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors
D007473:Ion Channels; D011188:Potassium