title: Tetraethylammonium-sensitive K(+) current in the bovine spermatozoa and its blocking by the venom of the Chilean Latrodectus mactans.
abstract: The morphology and size of spermatozoa hinder the study of the functional properties of the spermatozoa plasma membrane. However, some studies have revealed the presence of a number of ion channels in this cell. We set out to measure the endogenous currents and to study the effect of the venom of the Chilean black widow spider (Latrodectus mactans). By patch-clamping bovine spermatozoa our results indicate the presence of an outwardly rectifying current, sensitive to changes in K(+) concentration (30-140 mM) and to tetraethylammonium (TEA, 10-100 mM). The application of the venom (7.5 microg/ml) blocks these K+ currents and then alters the passive properties of the plasma membrane. This leads to the entry of Ca(++), reflected by a change in basal fluorescent units (5+/-2 at 35+/-10 FAU). The Ca(++) influx follows a reduction in the membrane conductance (control 22+/-2; venom 10+/-1 pS), as calcium channels open in accord with voltage dependence.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciencias Preclínicas, Universidad de la Frontera, Chile. jparodi@ufro.cl
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Parodi
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Navarrete
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marconi
authors.forename: Raúl Sánchez
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Gutiérrez
authors.forename: Ataúlfo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martínez-Torres
authors.forename: Fernando Romero
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Mejías
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001740:Black Widow Spider / Q000502:physiology*; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000187:drug effects; D002417:Cattle; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D008297:Male; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000187:drug effects*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D013111:Spider Venoms / Q000633:toxicity*; D019789:Tetraethylammonium / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D015221:Potassium Channels; D013111:Spider Venoms; D019789:Tetraethylammonium