Single channel currents induced by complement in antibody-coated cell membranes.
An extracellular patch electrode was used to record ionic currents from individual complement-induced channels in the membranes of antibody-coated skeletal muscle. The amplitude of the single-channel currents leads to an estimate of 90 pS for the unit conductance. The kinetics of channel opening and closing show marked variability and complexity. Channels flicker open and closed repeatedly, indicating that once these lesions form, they undergo rapid structural transitions between discrete conducting and nonconducting states.
D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000276:immunology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000276:immunology*; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D009132:Muscles / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats
D000906:Antibodies; D007473:Ion Channels; D003165:Complement System Proteins