Summary
Changes in the fluorescence of two N-arylaminonapthalenesulfonate dyes, ANS and TNS, were measured during the action potential and during voltage clamp steps in giant axons from the squid. We hoped to obtain information about alterations in membrane structure that occur during activity.
The fluorescence changes of both dyes appeared to be closely related to membrane potential. ANS fluorescence changes were measured with the dye added to both sides of the membrane. The changes were opposite in sign and of comparable magnitude. Neither was related to membrane conductance. Using axons microinjected with TNS and illuminated with polarized quasi-monochromatic light, we were able to separate two polarization-dependent components of a fluorescence change. However, both of these were also potential-related and, therefore, gave no information about the structural basis of the conductance mechanisms. Previous suggestions that the fluorescence of these dyes is correlated with membrane conductance were therefore not confirmed. Possible explanations for this disparity are considered.
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Davila, H.V., Cohen, L.B., Salzberg, B.M. et al. Changes in ANS and TNS fluorescence in giant axons fromLoligo . J. Membrain Biol. 15, 29–46 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01870080
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01870080