title: Tetraethylammonium facilitation of single-pulse mediated action potential, [Ca2+]i and transmitter release in sympathetic neurons.
abstract: A single stimulus applied to sympathetic neurons co-cultured with cardiac cells produced a very small increase in the release of tritiated norepinephrine and intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), but evoked a typical neuronal action potential. Treatment with 10 mM tetraethylammonium caused a dramatic increase in the responses to a single stimulus, and [3H]norepinephrine release remained above baseline for as long as 20 s. [Ca2+]i increased in cell bodies and neurites from basal levels of 50 to 100 nM to over 300 nM. [Ca2+]i remained elevated for 18 +/- 1 s and required 6.8 +/- 0.5 s for 50% recovery to basal levels. Action potential duration at 50% repolarization was increased from 4.5 +/- 0.3 ms to 88 +/- 20 ms and resting membrane potential decreased from -55 +/- 2 to -43 +/- 4 mV in the presence of tetraethylammonium. Repetitive firing was not observed after a single stimulus in current clamped neurons before or during tetraethylammonium exposure. These findings show a direct relation between action potential duration, Ca2+ entry and transmitter release in response to a single stimulus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Przywara
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mashalkar
authors.forename: S V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Bhave
authors.forename: T D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Wakade
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Wakade
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002642:Chick Embryo; D004594:Electrophysiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D013757:Tetraethylammonium Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D013757:Tetraethylammonium Compounds; D002118:Calcium