Photosensitive neurons in mollusks

We have identified a serotonin-sensitive K+ channel with novel properties. The channel is active at the testing potential; its gating is moderately affected by membrane potential and is not dependent on the activity of intracellular calcium ions. Application of serotonin to the cell body or intracellular injection of cyclic AMP causes prolonged and complete closure of the channel, thereby reducing the effective number of active channels in the membrane. The closure of the channel can account for the increases in the duration of the action potential, Ca2+ influx, and transmitter release which underlie behavioural sensitization, a simple form of learning. Show more

1. Potassium currents were studied under voltage-clamp conditions in nerve cell bodies of the nudibranch Tritonia diomedia. 2. Potassium currents could be separated into three distinct components on the basis of their sensitivity to 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), tetraethyl-ammonium (TEA) and to Co2+ and Mn2+ ions. 3. A transient potassium current, similar to the fast outward current described by Connor & Stevens (1971b) and Neher (1971), was blocked by externally applied 4-AP but was much less sensitive to TEA or to Co2+ or Mn2+. A single 4-AP ion binds each receptor with an apparent dissociation constant of 1-5 X 10(-3) M. 4-AP decreases the rates of activation and inactivation and reduces the maximum conductance of transient current channels. 4. Delayed outward current was not effected by 4-AP at concentrations which blocked the transient current, but it could be divided into two components by external application of TEA and Co2+ or Mn2+. 5. A voltage-dependent component of delayed current, termed K-current, was blocked by TEA. Each K-current receptor binds a single TEA ion with an apparent dissociation constant of 8 X 10(-3) M. Co2+ and Mn2+ have little or no effect on K-current. 6. A second component of delayed outward current, termed C-current, depends on Ca2+ entry for its activation. It is similar to the Ca2+ dependent potassium current reported by Meech & Stranden (1975) in Helix cells. C-current is essentially blocked by 30 mM external Co2+ or Mn2+. It is little affected by TEA, however, being reduced by about 20% at a TEA concentration of 100 mM. 7. It is concluded that three sets of potassium selective channels contribute to the outward current and that these channels can be separated pharmacologically. Show more

1. Electrical properties of the membrane of photoreceptor cells in the lateral ocelli of barnacles, Balanus amphitrite and B. eburneus were investigated by intracellular recording, polarization and voltage-clamp techniques.2. The resting potential of a dark adapted cell was 36.3 +/- 6.6 mV (S.D.) and depended mainly on the external K(+) concentration.3. Current-voltage relations obtained from voltage-clamp experiments in the absence of light were non-linear and varied with time after the onset of a step change in membrane potential; the steady state was reached after about 0.5 sec.4. Illumination resulted in a membrane potential change under current clamp and in a change of membrane current (light-initiated membrane current (L.I.C.): total membrane current with illumination minus current without illumination) under voltage-clamp conditions. Amplitudes and time course of L.I.C. depended on the light intensity as well as membrane potential.5. The L.I.C.-voltage relation was non-linear and corresponded with a slope conductance increase with increasing positive membrane potential.6. The reversal potential of L.I.C. was independent of the light intensity and the time after onset of illumination; the average value obtained in normal saline was +26.9 +/- 5.0 mV.7. The membrane conductance estimated from instantaneous L.I.C.-voltage relations agreed with the chord conductance of the non-linear L.I.C.-voltage relation.8. Decreasing external Na(+) concentration decreased the inward component of L.I.C. but not the outward component.9. Decreasing external Ca(2+) concentration increased the inward as well as the outward component of L.I.C.10. The reversal potential shifted in the negative direction with decreasing external Na(+) concentration (the rate was 10-15 mV for a tenfold change in concentration) and the rate was augmented in the absence of Ca(2+) but did not exceed 21 mV.11. The change of reversal potential with changes of external Ca(2+) concentration was negligible in normal Na(+) media but was significant in the absence of Na(+) (rate as high as 20 mV).12. Alteration of the external K(+) or Cl(-) concentrations did not affect the amplitude or reversal potential of L.I.C.13. The results indicate that illumination increases the membrane permeability mainly to Na(+) ions and that the primary effect of Ca(2+) ions is suppression of the permeability increase; Ca(2+) permeability may increase slightly during illumination. Show more