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Fast, persistent, Ca2+-dependent K+ current controls graded electrical activity in crayfish muscle

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  • Molecular and Cellular Physiology
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Abstract

The early outward current in opener muscle fibres of crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) was studied using the two-electrode voltage-clamp technique. This current was abolished in Ca2+-free and 5 mM Cd2+ solutions, and was blocked by extra- or intracellular tetraethylammonium, indicating that it was a Ca2+-dependent K+ current [I K(Ca)]. I K(Ca) was voltage dependent, apamin insensitive and sensitive to charybdotoxin (CTX), which, in addition to its tetraethylammonium sensitivity, suggests that the channels mediating I K(Ca) behave in a BK type manner. I K(Ca) activation was extremely fast, reaching a maximum within 5 ms, and the inactivation was incomplete, stabilizing at a persistent steady-state. I K(Ca) was insensitive to intracellular ethylenebis(oxonitrilo)tetraacetate (EGTA), but was abolished by injection of the faster Ca2+ chelator 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N′,N∼'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA), suggesting that voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels and those mediating I K(Ca) should be clustered closely on the membrane. Under two-electrode current-clamp recording mode, low amplitude, graded responses were evoked under control conditions, whereas repetitive all-or-none spikes were elicited by application of CTX or after loading the cells with BAPTA. We conclude that I K(Ca) activates extremely quickly, is persistent and is responsible for the generation and control of the low amplitude, graded, active responses of opener muscle fibres.

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  1. Instituto Cajal, CSIC, Avenida Doctor Arce 37, E-28002, Madrid, Spain

    Alfonso Araque & Washington Buño

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  1. Alfonso Araque
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  2. Washington Buño
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Araque, A., Buño, W. Fast, persistent, Ca2+-dependent K+ current controls graded electrical activity in crayfish muscle. Pflugers Arch. 430, 541–551 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00373891

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00373891

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