title: Modulation by hyperpolarization-activated cationic currents of voltage responses in human rods.
abstract: We used the whole-cell patch-clamp recording technique on surgically excised human retina to examine whether human rod photoreceptors express hyperpolarization-activated cationic currents (I(h)) and to analyze the effects of I(h) on rod's voltage responses. Hyperpolarizing voltage steps from a holding potential of -60 mV evoked a slow inward-rectifying current in both rods in retinal slices and isolated rods. The slow inward-rectifying currents induced by hyperpolarization were markedly reduced by 3 mM Cs(+) (a blocker of I(h)) in the bath, but not by 3 mM Ba(2+) (an anomalous rectifier K(+) current blocker) or 1 mM SITS (a Cl(-) current blocker). A concentration-response curve for block by Cs(+) of the inward currents could be fitted by the Hill equation with a half-blocking concentration (IC(50)) of 41 microM and a Hill coefficient of 0.91. The time course of the inward current activation was well described at all recorded voltages by the sum of two exponentials. Under current-clamp conditions, injection of steps of current, either hyperpolarizing or depolarizing, elicited an initial rapid voltage change that was followed by a gradual decay in the voltage response. The decay in the voltage responses was eliminated by bath application of 3 mM Cs(+). The voltage dependence, pharmacology, and kinetics of the slow inward-rectifying currents described above suggest that human rods express I(h). We suggest that I(h) becomes activated in the course of large hyperpolarizations generated by bright-light illumination and may modify the waveform of the photovoltage in human rods.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Fujita Health University, 1-98 Dengakugakubo, Kutsukakechou, Toyoake, Aichi, Japan. fkawai@fujita-hu.ac.jp
authors.forename: Fusao
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kawai
authors.forename: Masayuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Horiguchi
authors.forename: Hiromitsu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Ei-ichi
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Miyachi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D054815:Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Cation Channels; D006801:Humans; D064428:Hyperpolarization-Activated Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Channels; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D007700:Kinetics; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques / Q000379:methods; D015221:Potassium Channels; D017948:Retinal Rod Photoreceptor Cells / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D054815:Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Cation Channels; D064428:Hyperpolarization-Activated Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Channels; D007473:Ion Channels; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D015221:Potassium Channels