title: Actin cytoskeleton regulates ion channel activity in retinal neurons.
abstract: The actin cytoskeleton is an important contributor to the integrity of cellular shape and responses in neurons. However, the molecular mechanisms associated with functional interactions between the actin cytoskeleton and neuronal ion channels are largely unknown. Whole-cell and single channel recording techniques were thus applied to identified retinal bipolar neurons of the tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) to assess the role of acute changes in actin-based cytoskeleton dynamics in the regulation of voltage-gated ion channels. Disruption of endogenous actin filaments after brief treatment (20-30 min) with cytochalasin D (CD) activated voltage-gated K+ currents in bipolar cells, which were largely prevented by intracellular perfusion with the actin filament-stabilizer agent, phalloidin. Either CD treatment under cell-attached conditions or direct addition of actin to excised, inside-out patches of bipolar cells activated and/or increased single K+ channels. Thus, acute changes in actin-based cytoskeleton dynamics regulate voltage-gated ion channel activity in bipolar cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of California at San Diego, 92093, USA.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Maguire
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Connaughton
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Prat
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: H F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Cantiello
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000502:physiology*; D000557:Ambystoma; D000818:Animals; D015638:Cytochalasin D / Q000494:pharmacology; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006706:Homeostasis; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D010590:Phalloidine / Q000494:pharmacology; D010786:Photoreceptor Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D007473:Ion Channels; D015221:Potassium Channels; D010590:Phalloidine; D015638:Cytochalasin D