title: Characterization of Na+ and Ca2+ currents in bag cells of sexually immature Aplysia californica.
abstract: The neurosecretory bag cells of sexually mature Aplysia californica release egg-laying hormones as part of the reproductive process after a train of action potentials termed afterdischarge. Whole-cell voltage-clamp experiments were performed in cultured cells from sexually immature A. californica to characterize the inward voltage-gated currents for Na+ and Ca2+. The goal of these experiments was to investigate the regulation of excitability during sexual maturation. Na+ currents in bag cells of immature A. californica were similar in several ways to those of mature animals. The Na+ currents activated at voltages less negative than -30 mV and peaked at 10-20 mV in artificial sea water. The time course and pharmacology of bag cell Na+ currents were similar to those of bag cells from mature A. californica, although the Na+ current density was lower in immature A. californica. Na+ currents were inhibited by tetrodotoxin (50 nmol l-1). The Na+ current was relatively insensitive to depolarized holding potentials (Vh), maintaining approximately 50% of peak current amplitude present at Vh = -70 mV throughout the activation range at Vh = -30 mV. In experiments using a 1 s depolarized Vh prior to a test pulse, the half-inactivation voltage (V1/2) was -27 mV. Recovery of immature Na+ current from steady-state inactivation at Vh = -30 mV had a time constant (tau) of 9.5 ms, significantly slower than in mature animals. Ca2+ currents of immature A. californica activated at approximately -30 mV and peaked at approximately 20 mV with 11 mmol l-1 Ba2+ as the charge carrier. The principle differences from mature Ca2+ currents were the low density of the immature Ca2+ currents and their 'run-down' in whole-cell recordings. The pharmacology and V1/2 of bag cell Ca2+ currents were similar to those of L-type Ca2+ currents in mature cells. The Ca2+ currents were inhibited 61 +/- 10% by nifedipine (10 mumol l-1) and were unaffected by omega-conotoxin GVIA (10 mumol l-1). The Ca2+ currents were relatively insensitive to depolarized Vh, activating maximally at Vh = -90, -70 and -50 mV, and maintaining 50% of this peak current amplitude throughout the activation range at Vh = -30 mV. The V1/2 was -23 mV in experiments in which cells were subjected to a 1 s depolarized Vh prior to a test pulse. Na+ current amplitudes were maintained or increased during 1 min of 4 Hz test pulses in bag cells at Vh = -70 mV and Vh = -30 mV. In contrast, Ca2+ current run-down occurred during 1 min of 4 Hz test pulses in seven of 10 cells at Vh = -70 mV and in 12 of 12 cells at Vh = -30 mV. The observed scarcity of Na+ and Ca2+ currents in immature bag cells as well as the specific characteristics of immature bag cell Ca2+ currents make repetitive action potential firing and hormone release less likely than in mature bag cells.
authors.affiliation: Division of Marine Biology and Fisheries, University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, Miami, FL 33149-1098, USA. lfieber@rsmas.miami.edu
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Fieber
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001048:Aplysia / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D007700:Kinetics; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000494:pharmacology; D012741:Sexual Maturation; D015222:Sodium Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D013779:Tetrodotoxin / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D015220:Calcium Channels; D015222:Sodium Channels; D013779:Tetrodotoxin; D009543:Nifedipine