Abstract
The experiments were perfomed on transversus abdominis muscle ofElaphe dione by subendothelial recording. The results indicate that in snake motor nerve endings there exist four types of K+ channels, i.e. voltagedependent fast and slow K+ channels, Ca2+-activated K+ channel and ATP-sensitive K+ channel. (i) The typical wave form of snake terminal current was the double-peaked negativity in standard solution. The first peak was attributed to Na+ inflm (INa) in nodes of Ranvier. The second one was blocked by 3,4-aminopyridine (3,4-DAP) or tetraethylammonium (TEA), which corresponded to fast K+ outward current (Ik.f) through the fast K+ channels in terminal part. (ii) After IK.F as well as the slow K+ current (IK.S) were blocked by 3, 4-DAP, the TEA-sensitive Ca2 +-dependent K+ current (IK(Ca)) passing through Ca2 +-activated K+ channel was revealed, whose amplitude depended on [K+]o and [ca2+ ]o. It was blocked by Ba2+, Cd2+ or Co2+. (iii) IK.F and IK(Ca) were blocked by TEA, while IK. S was retained. It was sensitive to 3,4-DAP, partially blocked by ethanol (200 mmol/L) or β-bungarotoxin (2 μmol/L), and enhanced by low pH (6.4–6.7). This is the first report that certain current component of motor nerve terminal is sensitive to pH in the range of 6. 4–7. 5. (iv) That diazoxide (200 μmol/L) increased the second negative peak and the effect was eliminated after further addition of glibenclamide (50 μmol/L) was taken as evidence for the presence of ATP-sensitive K+ current (Ik.atp) at snake nerve terminal.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Xu, K., Shih, Y. L., Resistance of the snake neuromuscular junction to the blocking effect of P-bungarotoxin,Jap. J. Physiol., 1992, 42: 535.
Tabti, N., Bourret, C., Mallart, A., Three potassium currents in mouse motor nerve terminals,Pflugers Arch., 1989, 413: 395.
Mallart, A., Presynaptic currents in frog motor endings,Pflugers Arch., 1984, 400: 8.
Angaut-Petit, D., Benoit, E., Mallart, A., Membrane currents in lizard motor nerve terminals and nodes of Ranvier,Pflugers Arch., 1989, 415: 81.
Jonas, P., Koh, D., Kampe, K.et al., ATP-sensitive and Ca-activated K channels in vertebrate axons: novel links between metabolism and excitability,Pflugers Arch., 1991, 418: 68.
Deist, M., Repp, H., Dreyer, F., Sulfonylurea-sensitive K+ channels and their probable role for the membrane potential of mouse motor nerve endings,Pflugers Arch., 1992, 421:292.
Wu, J. V., Rubinstein, C. T., Shrager, P., Single channel characterization of multiple types of potassium channels in demyelinatedXenopus axons, J. Neurosci., 1993, 13: 5153.
Brigant, J. L., Mallart, A., Presynaptic currents in mouse motor endings,J. Physiol., 1982, 333: 619.
Mallart, A., Electric current flow inside perineurial sheaths of mouse motor nerves,J. Physiol., 1985(a), 368: 565.
Penner, R., Dreyer, F., Two different presynaptic calcium currents in motor nerve terminals,Pflugers Arch., 1986, 406: 190.
Kuffler, S. W., Yoshikami, D., The distribution of acetylcholine sensitivity at the post-synaptic membrane of vertebrate skeletal twitch muscles: Iontophoretic mapping in the micron range,J. Physiol., 1975, 244: 703.
Xu, Y. F., Shi, Y. L., Action of toosendanin on the membrane current of mouse motor nerve terminals,Brain Res., 1993, 631: 46.
Dreyer, F., Penner, R., The actions of presynaptic snake toxins on membrane currents of mouse motor nerve terminals,J. Physiol., 1987, 386: 455.
Morita, K., Barrett, E. F., Evidence for two calcium-dependent potassium conductances in lizard motor nerve terminals,J. Neurosci., 1990, 10: 2614.
Steen, K. H., Reeh, P. W., Anton, F.et al., Protons selectively induce lasting excitation and sensitization to mechanical stimulatibn of nociceptors in rat skin,in vitro, J. Neurosci., 1992, 12: 86.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Shi, Y., Gu, C. & Xu, Y. Four types of potassium currents in motor nerve terminals of snake. Sci. China Ser. C.-Life Sci. 40, 593–603 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02882689
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02882689