title: [Rectification of calcium-activated potassium channels in hypothalamic neurons].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the rectification of calcium-activated potassium channel in hypothalamic neurons.
  
  
  METHODS
  Channels in inside-out patches are studied by patch-clamp technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A big conductance calcium-activated K+ channel was observed, with symmetrical 140 mol/L [K+] across patches, in ward conductance was (171 +/- 12) pS and change little as different [Ca2+] was included in the bath solution. Outward conductance was regulated by [Ca2+] and was (76 +/- 14) pS with 500 micromol/L [Ca2+]. The higher level of [Ca2+] caused larger degree of rectification. Mg2+ only had a minor effect on rectification of this calcium-activated K+ channel.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  BK in hypothalamic neurons had rectification properties, it might play a role in neuronal excitation and stability.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Thermal Medicine, First Military Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zou
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000166:cytology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D024681:Potassium Channels, Calcium-Activated / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D024681:Potassium Channels, Calcium-Activated