Miniature excitatory synaptic ion currents in the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris body wall muscles.
The miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (MEPCs) of the muscle cells of the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris were recorded by glass microelectrodes. In a single synaptic zone, three types of MEPC were recorded: a fast single-exponential type that decayed with tau =0.9 ms, a slow single-exponential with tau = 9.2 ms and a two-exponential MEPC with tau = 1.3 and 8.5 ms, respectively. The muscle cells of earthworms contain populations of yet-unidentified ionic channels that might be different from the common nicotinic and muscarinic groups of acetylcholine receptors, since these MEPCs are not sensitive to d-tubocurarine, atropine, benzohexonium or proserine. Alternatively, besides ACh receptors, the membrane may contain receptors for another yet-unidentified excitatory transmitter.
Volkov
E M
EM
State Medical University, Kazan, Russia.
Nurullin
L F
LF
Nikolsky
E
E
Vyskocil
F
F
D000818:Animals; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D019706:Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D009132:Muscles / Q000294:innervation*; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D009835:Oligochaeta / Q000378:metabolism*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors
D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists; D007473:Ion Channels