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K efflux through inward rectifying K channels in voltage clamped Purkinje fibers

  • Excitable Tissues And Central Nervous Physiology
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Abstract

The42K efflux was measured in voltage clamped sheep Purkinje fibers. The voltage dependence of the K efflux can be described as N-shaped, showing a negative slope region. At potentials negative to −30 mV, the K efflux is largely due to K flowing through a channel which rectifies in the inward direction and which is blocked by external application of 20 mM Cs+. At potentials positive to −30 mV an outward rectifier dominates the shape of the K effluxvoltage relationship. This component is insensitive to short external application of Cs+. Both components were also found when Na+ was replaced by tetramethylammonium.

When the steady-state current-voltage relationship is compared with the K efflux one can conclude that the outward rectifying K flux largely determines the shape of this curve at positive membrane potentials, while the negative slope region of the K efflux correlates with the negative slope of the steady-state current-voltage relation. The K efflux is only slightly enhanced by stimulation of the preparation, corroborating the finding of inward-going rectification of the K channel.

Aclamp program repetitively activating the positive dynamic current e.g. by alternating the membrane potential between −70 and +10 mV, increases the K efflux by about 50% as compared to the efflux measured in steady-state at this positive membrane potential. 4-Aminopyridine suppresses both this extra K efflux, and the positive dynamic current. It is concluded that K ions contribute to the positive dynamic current.

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Author notes

  1. Johan Vereecke

    Present address: II. Physiologisches Institut, Universität des Saarlandes, D-6650, Homburg (Saar), Germany

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Physiology, Campus Gasthuisberg, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium

    Johan Vereecke, Gerrit Isenberg (Heisenberg fellow of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft) & Edward Carmeliet

Authors
  1. Johan Vereecke
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  2. Gerrit Isenberg
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  3. Edward Carmeliet
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Supported by F.W.G.O. Belgium no 20487 and by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft SFB38G2

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Vereecke, J., Isenberg, G. & Carmeliet, E. K efflux through inward rectifying K channels in voltage clamped Purkinje fibers. Pflugers Arch. 384, 207–217 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00584555

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00584555

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