Activation of single potassium channels in rat cerebellar granule cells by volatile anesthetics.
1. We recently reported that volatile anesthetics activate a potassium channel (S channel) in neurons of the marine mollusk, Aplysia (Winegar et al., 1996. Anesthesiology 85(4) 889-900). 2. These studies were extended to investigate volatile anesthetic actions on potassium channels in rat cerebellar granule cells. 3. Noninactivating potassium channels were observed across a wide range of potentials. 4. Channel activity increased during volatile anesthetic perfusion while the i-V relations were unchanged and remained weakly inward-rectifying with a conductance at negative potentials of approximately 30 pS. 5. Frequent opening of inward rectifiers by volatile anesthetics may stabilize the resting potential near E(K) to resist depolarizing stimuli.
Winegar
B D
BD
Department of Anesthesia, University of California, San Francisco 94143-0648, USA.
Yost
C S
CS
D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D019706:Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D006221:Halothane / Q000494:pharmacology; D015640:Ion Channel Gating / Q000187:drug effects; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats
D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D015221:Potassium Channels; D006221:Halothane