Damped oscillation in the ampullary electroreceptors of Plotosus involves Ca-activated transient K conductance in the basal membrane of receptor cells.
K-blockers suppressed damped oscillation of Plotosus electroreceptors in situ. Ca-blockers abolished V-dependent non-linear responses, as well, and shifted the DC level in the ampulla by ca. -1 mV. Thus, the in situ receptor is held depolarized with maintained Ca current in the basal membrane of receptor cells. The oscillation involves Ca-activated transient K current in the same membrane, which contributes to the initial sensory adaptation, and presumably also to stabilizing the sensitive receptors.
D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004848:Epithelium / Q000502:physiology; D005399:Fishes / Q000502:physiology*; D008465:Mechanoreceptors / Q000502:physiology*; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D008839:Microelectrodes; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D012867:Skin / Q000294:innervation*
D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium