Neurokinin A depolarizes neurons of bullfrog dorsal root ganglia by suppressing K+ conductances.
The effect of neurokinin A (NKA) on neurons of bullfrog dorsal root ganglia (DRG) in primary culture was examined by using whole-cell patch-clamp methods. Application of NKA (1 microM) depolarized the DRG neurons, resulting in spontaneous firing of action potentials. Under voltage-clamp condition, NKA (3 nM-1 microM) caused an inward current (INKA) associated with decreased membrane conductance. The INKA reversed its polarity at the equilibrium potential for K+. The INKA was blocked by extracellular Ba2+ (1 mM) but not by nominally 0 mM Ca2+, tetraethylammonium (40 mM), 4-aminopyridine (2 mM) or apamin (50 nM). Intracellular Cs+ blocked the INKA. NKA depressed a voltage-dependent non-inactivating K+ current, the M-current (IM), at potentials more positive than -55mV. NKA reduced the maximum M-conductance (GM) without changing the kinetics of M-channels. NKA also depressed a voltage- and time-independent background K+ current, IK(B). It is concluded that the INKA is produced by suppression of both IM and IK(B) in bullfrog primary afferent neurons.
D000200:Action Potentials; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D015288:Neurokinin A / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D011188:Potassium / Q000502:physiology*; D011892:Rana catesbeiana
D015288:Neurokinin A; D011188:Potassium