Whole-cell and perforated patch recordings of four distinct K+ currents in acutely dispersed coeliac-superior mesenteric ganglia neurons of adult rats.
Properties and modulation of outward membrane currents in sympathetic neurons acutely dispersed from coeliac-superior mesenteric ganglia (C-SMG) of adult rats were examined using both the whole-cell variant of the patch-clamp technique and the perforated patch approach. Under voltage-clamp, four distinct outward currents were observed: a transient outward current (IA), a voltage-dependent sustained outward current consisting of a Ca(2+)-dependent component (IKCa) and a Ca(2+)-insensitive component (IKV), and a muscarinic agonist-sensitive outward current (IM). IA was isolated by digital subtraction, and characterized by very rapid activation at potentials more positive than -60 mV and by fast and complete voltage-dependent inactivation. Half inactivation potential (Vh) and slope factor (K) were -76 mV and 8.3 mV, respectively. IA was not affected by removal of external Ca2+, 1 mM tetraethylammonium ions, muscarinic agonists, or 8-bromo-cyclic AMP, but was suppressed by 4-aminopyridine (1 mM). Depolarizing pulses from of a holding potential of -50 or -60 mV to potentials more positive than -25 mV concomitantly activated two, independent sustained outward currents which decayed slowly; one exhibited voltage-dependent activation similar to the delayed rectifier current (IKV) and the other being triggered by Ca2+ influx into the cell (IKCa). The addition of tetraethylammonium ions (1 mM) strongly reduced the amplitude of the sustained outward currents. IM was characterized as a noninactivating time- and voltage-dependent outward current which activated at membrane potentials more positive than -60 mV and slowly turned off when the membrane was hyperpolarized back to -60 mV, and was suppressed by muscarinic agonists. The rank order of potency of the agonists tested was: oxotremorine > muscarine > bethanechol.
Carrier
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Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta 30912, USA.
D015761:4-Aminopyridine / Q000494:pharmacology; D015124:8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005728:Ganglia, Sympathetic / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D018721:Muscarinic Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013757:Tetraethylammonium Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology
D018721:Muscarinic Agonists; D015221:Potassium Channels; D013757:Tetraethylammonium Compounds; D015124:8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate; D015761:4-Aminopyridine