Single glutamate-gated synaptic channels at the crayfish neuromuscular junction. II. Dependence of channel open time on glutamate concentration

Glutamate receptor channel kinetics: the effect of glutamate concentration

Single channel recordings from the locust muscle D-glutamate receptor channel were obtained using glutamate concentrations ranging from 10(-6) to 10(-2) M. Channel kinetics were analyzed to aid in the development of a model for the gating mechanism. Analysis of channel dwell time histograms demonstrated that the channel possessed multiple open and closed states at concentrations of glutamate between 10(-5) and 10(-2) M. Correlations between successive dwell times showed that the gating mechanism was nonlinear (i.e., branched or cyclic) over the same glutamate concentration range. The glutamate concentration dependence of the channel open probability, and of the event frequency, was used to explore two possible allosteric gating mechanisms in more detail.

Cys-Loop Ligand-Gated Chloride Channels in Dorsal Unpaired Median Neurons of Locusta migratoria

In insects, inhibitory neurotransmission is generally associated with members of the cys-loop ligand-gated anion channels, such as the glutamate-gated chloride channel (GluCl), the GABA-gated chloride channels (GABACl), and the histamine-gated chloride channels (HisCl). These ionotropic receptors are considered established target sites for the development of insecticides, and therefore it is necessary to obtain a better insight in their distribution, structure, and functional properties. Here, by combining electrophysiology and molecular biology techniques, we identified and characterized GluCl, GABACl, and HisCl in dorsal unpaired median (DUM) neurons of Locust migratoria. In whole cell patch-clamp recordings, application of glutamate, GABA, or histamine induced rapidly activating ionic currents. GluCls were sensitive to ibotenic acid and blocked by picrotoxin and fipronil. The pharmacological profile of the L. migratoria GABACl fitted neither the vertebrate GABAA nor GABAC receptor and was similar to the properties of the cloned Drosophila melanogaster GABA receptor subunit (Rdl). The expression of Rdl-like subunit-containing GABA receptors was shown at the molecular level using RT-PCR. Sequencing analysis indicated that the orthologous GABACl of D. melanogaster CG10357-A is expressed in DUM neurons of L. migratoria. Histamine-induced currents exhibited a fast onset and desensitized completely on continuous application of histamine. In conclusion, within the DUM neurons of L. migratoria, we identified three different cys-loop ligand-gated anion channels that use GABA, glutamate, or histamine as their neurotransmitter.

Dorsal Unpaired Median Neurons ofLocusta migratoriaExpress Ivermectin- and Fipronil-Sensitive Glutamate-Gated Chloride Channels

Together with type A GABA and strychnine-sensitive glycine receptors, glutamate-gated chloride channels (GluCl) are members of the Cys-loop family of ionotropic receptors, which mediate fast inhibitory neurotransmission. To date, GluCls are found in invertebrates only and therefore represent potential specific targets for insecticides, such as ivermectin and fipronil. In this study, we identified the functional expression of GluCls in dorsal unpaired median (DUM) neurons of the metathoracic ganglion of Locusta migratoria using electrophysiological and molecular biological techniques. In whole cell patch-clamped DUM neurons, glutamate-induced changes in both their membrane potentials (current-clamp) and currents (voltage-clamp) were dependent on the chloride equilibrium potential. On continuous application of glutamate, the glutamate-elicited current response became rapidly and completely desensitized. Application of glutamate in the presence of 10 μM fipronil or 100 μM picrotoxin reversibly decreased GluCl-mediated currents by 87 and 39%, respectively. Furthermore, 1 μM ivermectin induced a persistent chloride current, suggesting the expression of ivermectin-sensitive GluCl α subunits. A degenerate PCR/RACE strategy was used to clone the full-length L. migratoria LmGlClα subunit. Finally, RT-PCR experiments demonstrated the presence of LmGluClα transcripts in locust DUM neurons. Our results provide the first direct evidence of a functional ivermectin-sensitive GluCl channel on the cell surface of DUM neurons of L. migratoria.

Depolarization increases the single-channel conductance and the open probability of crayfish glutamate channels

We have studied the voltage sensitivity of glutamate receptors in outside-out patches taken from crayfish muscles. We found that single-channel conductance, measured directly at the single-channel level, increases as depolarization rises. At holding potentials from -90 mV to approximately 20 mV, the conductance is 109 pS. At holding potentials positive to 20 mV, the conductance is 213 pS. This increase in single-channel conductance was also observed in cell-attached patches. In addition, desensitization, rise time, and the dose-response curve were all affected by depolarization. To further clarify these multifaceted effects, we evaluated the kinetic properties of single-channel activity recorded from cell-attached patches in hyperpolarization (membrane potential around -75 mV) and depolarization (membrane potential approximately 105 mV). We found that the glutamate dissociation rate constant (k_) was affected most significantly by membrane potential; it declined 6.5-fold under depolarization. The rate constant of channel closing (k(c)) was also significantly affected; it declined 1.8-fold. The rate constant of channel opening (k(o)) declined only 1.2-fold. The possible physiological significance of the depolarization-mediated changes in the above rate constants is discussed.

Activation and blockade of mouse muscle nicotinic channels by antibodies directed against the binding site of the acetylcholine receptor

1. Using the patch-clamp technique, we have found that mouse muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) channels can be activated by low concentrations of a monoclonal antibody (MoAb), referred to as WF6, which is directed against the acetylcholine (ACh) binding site. Similar effects were seen using IgG or F(ab)2 fragments from the sera of patients with myasthenia gravis (MG), which contain polyclonal anti-nAChR antibodies. 2. The mean open times of MoAb and the slope conductance of single WF6-activated single channels were similar to those of ACh-activated channels under the same experimental conditions. 3. On outside-out patches, single channel activity was elicited by MoAb WF6 and MG F(ab)2 fragments, and was blocked by (+)-tubocurarine. We therefore concluded that MoAb WF6 and the MG F(ab)2 fragments activate the nAChR. 4. MoAb WF6 and MG F(ab)2 fragments blocked the current activated by pulsed application of 10(-4) M ACh to a significant extent. The block was partly reversible. The rate constants for the binding and dissociation of MoAb WF6 from the receptor were determined quantitatively.

GABAergic inhibition of crayfish deep extensor abdominal muscle exhibits a steep dose-response relationship and a high degree of cooperativity

A patch-clamp study was done to characterize the recently found GABAergic (i.e. gamma-aminobutyric acid) inhibitory synaptic channels of crayfish deep extensor abdominal muscle. Outside-out patches were rapidly activated by GABA to measure the dose/response curves for the open probability of the channels, Po, and the rise time, tr, (time from Po = 0.1 to Po = 0.9). In some of the patches the GABA-activated currents decayed due to desensitization and such patches were not studied further. Rare channel openings were elicited with 0.1 mM GABA. The Po at this low concentration of GABA was 0.0005 to 0.01. Application of 10 mM GABA was necessary to reach the maximal Po of 0.9. The slope of the dose/response relationship in the double logarithmic plot was 5.4 +/- 1.1 (mean +/- SD; n = 9) between 0.1 mM and 0.2 mM GABA. The plot of tr versus GABA concentration had a peculiar shape, recently found to be characteristic for positive cooperativity of the binding sites. tr increased from a minimum at 10 mM GABA with declining concentrations of GABA and reached a peak at 0.4 mM GABA. Below 0.4 mM GABA, tr decreased again. With 0.2 mM GABA tr was 0.40 +/- 0.1 (mean +/- SD; n = 4) of the peak value measured at 0.4 mM GABA. Simulations were compared with the experimental results and a linear reaction scheme with five binding sites for GABA was established to describe the dose/response curves for Po and tr.

Gating kinetics of the quisqualate-sensitive glutamate receptor of locust muscle studied using agonist concentration jumps and computer simulations

Outside-out patches excised from extrajunctional membrane of locust muscle were subjected to "concentration jumps" of L-glutamate, using the liquid filament switch technique, to study channel opening and closing rates, desensitization onset, and recovery from desensitization of a quisqualate-sensitive glutamate receptor (qGluR). Based on data obtained from these experimental studies, computer modeling techniques have been used in an attempt to simulate the behavior of qGluR during a concentration jump of L-glutamate. A linear model with three closed states (one unliganded, one monoliganded, and one biliganded), one open state (binding two molecules of L-glutamate), and two desensitization states (the one monoliganded, the other biliganded) leading from the unliganded closed state simulated all of the experimentally observed behavior. The results are discussed in the context of previous equilibrium studies in which desensitization was inhibited with concanavalin A and for which a ten-state model was required to simulate the behavior of qGluR.

Reaction scheme for the glutamate-ergic, quisqualate type, completely desensitizing channels on crayfish muscle

In analogy with a recently developed reaction scheme for a channel activated by acetylcholine (ACh; nicotinic), we propose a cyclical reaction scheme which agrees with all data published on the completely desensitizing channel type activated by glutamate (Glu) in crayfish muscle. For every high Glu concentrations, desensitization is mainly from the open state, while at lower Glu concentrations desensitization from the singly Glu liganded closed state contributes significantly. The latter pathway and the high Glu affinity of the desensitized channel states account for complete steady-state desensitization of the channel by Glu concentrations which occur without any channel opening.

Hypoglycemia-activated K+ channels in hippocampal neurons

Channels linking the electrical and metabolic activities of cells (KATP channels) have been described in various tissues, including some brain areas (hypothalamus, cerebral cortex and substantia nigra). Here we report the existence in hippocampal neurons of K+ permeant channels whose activity is regulated by extracellular glucose. They are open at the cell resting potential and respond to transient hypoglycemia with a reversible increase in activity. The one type so far characterized has a conductance of approximately 100 pS in isotonic K+, is inhibited by the sulphonylurea glibenclamide (1 microM), and is activated by the potassium channel opener lemakalim (0.1-1 microM). These data provide a direct demonstration of the presence, in hippocampal neurons, of glucose-sensitive channels that could belong to the KATP family.

Patch-clamp recordings of spiking and nonspiking interneurons from rabbit olfactory bulb slices: GABA- and other transmitter receptors

Transmitter receptor ion channels from previously identified rabbit olfactory bulb neurons were studied by using a thin slice preparation in combination with patch-clamp measurements. PG cells, which closely resembled previously described periglomerular interneurons in their morphology, responded to microapplication of GABA, acetylcholine, norepinephrine and glycine with the activation of distinct ionic currents. JG cells, which belong either to the class of short axon cells or external tufted cells, never showed GABA responses. In mitral cells ionic currents activated by GABA, acetylcholine, norepinephrine and glutamate could be elicited. Further measurements of GABA-activated currents of PG cells were made and indicated that these cells expressed two different types of GABA receptors: one which showed fast desensitization with a decay time constant of about 5 s, and one which slowly desensitized with a decay time constant of about 20-30 s. Both types were completely inhibited by bicuculline methiodide (50 microM). GABA receptors were not blocked by Zn2+ (0.1 mM). From the dose-response relationship of the peak GABA-activated currents, an apparent dissociation constant of 50 microM was derived. From single channel measurements in excised outside-out patches, a single channel conductance of GABA-activated Cl- currents of 24 pS was obtained during continuous application of the agonist. Single channel events had a mean open time of 1.9 ms.

Activation and desensitization of embryonic-like receptor channels in mouse muscle by acetylcholine concentration steps

1. Pulses of acetylcholine (ACh) in concentrations between 0.1 and 1000 microM were applied repetitively to outside-out patches of enzymatically denervated (14 days) mouse muscle with the liquid filament switch. Solutions superfusing the patch could be changed rapidly (within 0.2 ms). 2. Single-channel activity was studied under steady-state conditions in the outside-out and in the cell-attached mode. The single-channel conductance was 26 pS in outside-out patches, characteristic for embryonic-like channels. Apparent mean open time was about 2.5 ms, a shorter component of closed times was 800 microseconds and burst length was about 5 ms. 3. Channel currents elicited by pulses of ACh were averaged. The time-to-peak current was concentration dependent and decreased from a level of about 10 ms below 10 microM to about 400 microseconds at 100 microM-ACh. 4. For a typical experiment, the average peak current, imax, increased from -0.4 pA with 0.1 microM to -82 pA with 1000 microM-ACh, close to the value at saturation. The half-maximal response was at 60 microM-ACh. The dose-response curves for imax had double-logarithmic slopes of 1.1-1.3, consistent with two binding sites at the embryonic nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR). 5. The current elicited by ACh pulses decreased rapidly after the peak. The time constant of desensitization increased from 20-50 ms with 1000 microM-ACh to up to more than a second with 1 microM-ACh. 6. The current in steady state (fully desensitized) increased up to 10 microM-ACh, but decreased slightly to values of imax/100 to imax/500 when higher concentrations were applied. 7. In addition to the well-known differences between adult and embryonic nAChR concerning the apparent mean open time and burst length, we found differences in the slope of the dose-response curve for imax, in the ratio of peak to steady-state response, and in the rise time of the response.

Kinetic constants of the acetylcholine (ACh) receptor reaction deduced from the rise in open probability after steps in ACh concentration

Outside-out patches of enzymatically dissociated adult and denervated mouse muscle fibers were superfused repetitively by pulses of acetylcholine (ACh) containing solution. Up to 300 channels opened simultaneously 300 microseconds after the beginning of a 1,000 microM ACh pulse corresponding to a peak current i of almost -1 nA. Single responses to ACh were averaged and the concentration dependence of i and of the rise time tr from 0.1 i to 0.9 i was measured. In adult receptors, i increased proportional to the second to third power of ACh concentration, whereas in embryonic-type receptors it was proportional to the first to the second power. tr increased from approximately 0.3 ms at 1,000 microM ACh to a plateau value of approximately 5 ms for adult and of approximately 10 ms for embryoniclike receptors at concentrations less than 10 microM ACh. The concentration dependence of i and tr was simulated using the standard model of ACh binding with different combinations of rate constants and two and three binding sites for ACh. The calculated curves were compared to the measurements and a set of well fitting rate constants was determined for adult and embryoniclike receptors. Three binding sites for ACh were necessary to fit the dose response for i for adult receptors. A method for deriving rate constants in a model of ACh-receptor interaction is described that avoids analysis of open-closed kinetics of single channels, which in rapid systems, as the ones studied here, are at the limit of the frequency response of the current measurement.

Dual activation of a sex pheromone-dependent ion channel from insect olfactory dendrites by protein kinase C activators and cyclic GMP

Olfactory transduction is thought to take place in the outer dendritic membrane of insect olfactory receptor neurons. Here we show that the outer dendritic plasma membrane of silkmoth olfactory receptor neurons seems to be exclusively equipped with a specific ion channel activated by low concentrations of the species-specific sex pheromone component. This so-called AC1 channel has a conductance of 56 pS and is nonselectively permeable to cations. The AC1 channel can be activated from the intracellular side by protein kinase C activators such as diacylglycerol and phorbolester and by cGMP but not by Ca2+, inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate, or cAMP. Our results imply that phosphorylation of this ion channel by protein kinase C could be the crucial step in channel opening by sex pheromones.

Glutamatergic channels in locust muscle show a wide time range of desensitization and resensitization characteristics

Outside-out patches of membrane were excised from locust muscle. 10 mM L-glutamate applied to such patches in short pulses elicited rapidly a peak of channel opening, followed by desensitization with time constants between 1 ms and 20 ms for different channel subtypes. Slowly rising glutamate concentrations could produce almost complete desensitization without any channel openings. Desensitization thus proceeds from a closed channel state, prior to channel opening. Resensitization, i.e. recovery from desensitization, was tested by applying pairs of glutamate pulses, varying the pulse interval. Resensitization has a biphasic time course. While in rapidly desensitizing channels more than 50% of resensitization was achieved within a few milliseconds, in slowly desensitizing channels resensitization took seconds.

Intraburst kinetic properties of the GABAA receptor main conductance state of mouse spinal cord neurones in culture

1. The intraburst kinetic properties of the main conductance state of gamma-aminobutyric acidA (GABAA) receptor channels in excised outside-out patches obtained from somata of mouse spinal cord neurones in cell culture were investigated using the patch clamp single-channel recording technique. 2. At 2 microM-GABA, the burst duration distribution was fitted by four exponential functions with time constants of 0.5, 2.4, 8.3 and 31.8 ms. 3. At 0.5, 1 and 2 microM-GABA, frequency distribution histograms of the number of apparent openings per burst were best fitted by three geometric functions with similar mean numbers (1.1, 1.9 and 3.6) of openings per burst. The proportion of bursts with a mean of 1.1 openings per burst decreased with increased GABA concentration while the proportion of bursts with means of 1.9 and 3.6 openings per burst increased with GABA concentration. 4. Analyses of GABA receptor channel intraburst kinetics were performed at all three GABA concentrations. The results were similar for all concentrations, but detailed results are presented only for 2 microM-GABA. 5. The open time distribution for all intraburst openings was best fitted by three exponential functions with time constants of 0.6, 2.9 and 8.9 ms. 6. Intraburst open time and total open time distributions for bursts with one to five openings were fitted with two or three exponential functions or gamma distributions, respectively. The number of components, time constants and relative areas were similar for both distributions. 7. The distributions of open times for the nth opening within bursts of k openings were similar for bursts containing two to five openings. The distributions of open times for the nth opening of all bursts varied with position within the burst. The distributions shifted to longer openings as the opening number increased from one to five. 8. The distributions of all closings within all bursts or within bursts with two to five openings and of closings relative to position in all bursts could be fitted by two exponential functions with time constants of about 0.20 and 3.1 ms and relative proportions of 0.55 and 0.45 at all GABA concentrations. 9. The total closed time distributions for bursts containing two to four closings, however, were all best fitted with only a single gamma distribution with a time constant of 1.3 ms.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Rapid activation, desensitization, and resensitization of synaptic channels of crayfish muscle after glutamate pulses

Completely desensitizing excitatory channels were activated in outside-out patches of crayfish muscle membrane by applying glutamate pulses with switching times of approximately 0.2 ms for concentration changes. Channels were almost completely activated with 10 mM glutamate. Maximum activation was reached within 0.4 ms with greater than or equal to 1 mM glutamate. Channel open probability decayed with a time constant of desensitization of 2 ms with 10 mM glutamate and more rapidly at lower glutamate concentrations. The rate of beginnings of bursts (average number of beginnings of bursts per time bin) decayed even faster but approximately in proportion to the glutamate concentration. The dose-response curve for the channel open probability and for the rate of bursts had a maximum double-logarithmic slope of 5.1 and 4.2, respectively. Channels desensitized completely without opening at very low or slowly rising glutamate concentrations. Desensitization thus originates from a closed channel state. Resensitization was tested by pairs of completely desensitizing glutamate pulses. Sensitivity to the second pulse returned rapidly at pulse intervals between 1 and 2 ms and was almost complete with an interval of 3 ms. Schemes of channel activation by up to five glutamate binding steps, with desensitization by glutamate binding from closed states, are discussed. At high agonist concentrations bursts are predominantly terminated by desensitization. Quantal currents are generated by pulses of greater than 1 mM glutamate, and their decay is determined by the duration of presence of glutamate and possibly by desensitization.

Argiopine blocks glutamate-activated single-channel currents on crayfish muscle by two mechanisms

1. The effect of the spider venom argiopine on L-glutamate-activated membrane channels of crayfish muscle was investigated using the patch-clamp technique. 2. When 10(-2) M-glutamate and 10(-9) M-argiopine were contained in the pipette solution of a cell-attached patch, bursts of openings of excitatory channels appeared after formation of the patch. These bursts ceased abruptly after variable periods of time in the range of 5 min. Higher concentrations of argiopine (up to 10(-6) M) blocked more rapidly, approximately in proportion to concentration. 3. The block of excitatory channels could be partially or completely reversed by hyperpolarizing the membrane by up to -190 mV from the resting potential. The time constant of the recovery of channel opening decreased with increasing hyperpolarization and was 2 ms with -160 mV hyperpolarization. Switching back from the hyperpolarized level to the resting potential, the time constant for the resulting block was about 3 s (10(-7) M-argiopine). Potential-dependent block by argiopine with similar characteristics was also observed in outside-out patches. 4. Up to argiopine concentrations of 10(-7) M the kinetics of channel openings and of bursts measured in pre-block periods or during reversal of the block by hyperpolarization were indistinguishable from controls. 5. When the potential-dependent block observed in the presence of 10(-6) M-argiopine and 10(-2) M-glutamate was reversed by hyperpolarization, additional short closings occurred during bursts. This 'flickering block' did not change burst length appreciably, but an additional open time component (tau = 0.1 ms) appeared and the average open time per burst was reduced. 6. At least two reaction steps seem necessary to model the behaviour of the potential-dependent block. The flickering block may be described as intermittent blocking of the channel which does not interfere with the reactions between glutamate and the channel.

Kinetic properties of the GABAA receptor main conductance state of mouse spinal cord neurones in culture

1. The kinetic properties of the main conductance state of gamma-aminobutyric acidA (GABA) receptor channels from somata of mouse spinal cord neurones in cell culture were investigated using patch clamp techniques. 2. Whole-cell GABA receptor currents increased in a concentration-dependent manner from 0.5 to 5 microM. 3. Single-channel currents were recorded with a main conductance state of 27.2 pS and a less frequent conductance state of 15.9 pS. The main conductance state opened singly and in bursts of several openings. 4. Mean open times of GABA receptor main conductance currents were increased and open-time frequency histograms were shifted to longer times as GABA concentration was increased from 0.5 to 5 microM. Three exponential functions were required to fit the histograms at all GABA concentrations, suggesting that the channel opened into at least three open states (O1, O2 and O3). The three functions had the same time constants (1.0 +/- 0.2, 3.7 +/- 0.4 and 11.3 +/- 0.5 ms; mean +/- S.D.) at each concentration. The increase in long open times with concentration was due to a shift in relative frequency of occurrence of openings from the shortest (O1) to the two longest (O2 and O3) open states. 5. Closed-time distributions of closures between main conductance state openings were fitted with multiple exponential functions, suggesting that the channel had several closed states. The two shortest time constants (0.24 +/- 0.03 and 2.0 +/- 0.3 ms) were concentration independent (0.5 to 5 microM). Three longer time constants decreased as concentration increased. 6. Bursts were defined as groups of openings surrounded by closures greater than a critical closed time (tc = 5 ms). Mean burst durations were increased and burst duration frequency histograms were shifted to longer times as GABA concentration was increased from 0.5 to 5 microM. Burst-duration frequency histograms were best fitted with three exponential functions. The time constants were concentration independent and were 1.0 +/- 0.2, 5.5 +/- 0.2 and 29.8 +/- 1.6 ms. The increase in burst duration with concentration was due to a relative shift from short duration bursts to longer duration bursts. 7. The shortest burst time constant was similar to the shortest open time constant suggesting that there was a population of single openings of short duration. The two longest burst time constants were longer than the two longest open time constants, suggesting that the bursts from the two longest burst components were composed of two or more openings.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Anomalous voltage dependence of channel blockade at a crustacean glutamate-mediated synapse

1. The voltage dependence and concentration dependence of blockade of glutamate-activated currents by the diquaternary amine, chlorisondamine, were examined in a marine crustacean muscle. 2. Chlorisondamine results in the splitting of focally recorded synaptic current decays into two exponential components. The fast component becomes faster with increases in drug concentration and with hyperpolarization. The slow decay rate is unchanged or faster with hyperpolarization and the relative amplitude of the slow component is increased with hyperpolarization. 3. The alteration of synaptic current decay rates by chlorisondamine over the range of 5 to 100 microM and -80 to -140 mV is quantitatively consistent with a simple channel blockade model with a zero-voltage blocking rate of 6 x 10(5) M-1 s-1 at 12 degrees C with a voltage dependence of about 40 mV per e-fold change. The unblocking rate is about 5 s-1 at 0 mV and increases with hyperpolarization with a voltage dependence of about 30 mV per e-fold change. 4. The dose dependence and voltage dependence of blockade of ionophoretically activated glutamate currents by chlorisondamine are qualitatively consistent with the kinetic estimates. 5. The anomalous voltage dependence of the unblocking process is considered in terms of the possibility that the relief from blockade by chlorisondamine occurs by transit of chlorisondamine through the ion channel opened by glutamate.

Effects of pentobarbital on behavioral and synaptic plasticities in crayfish

Intra-abdominal injections of 90 mg/kg (3.5 x 10(-4) M estimated body concentration) sodium pentobarbital (PB) eliminated the cheliped closing response and eyestalk withdrawal response in crayfish (Procambarus clarkii). Repeated injections produced tolerance to both of these behavioral measures within several days. At glutamatergic synapses of the opener muscle, PB at dosages from 10(-7) to 10(-4) M had no significant effect on non-facilitated transmitter release evoked by 1 Hz stimuli. Facilitated transmitter release at 10 Hz stimuli was significantly decreased by 10(-3) M PB but was not significantly affected at lower concentrations. At 10(-4) M and 10(-3) M, PB significantly reduced the ratio of excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) amplitudes at 10 Hz to those at 1 Hz. The frequency of spontaneous miniature EPSPs (MEPSPs) was reduced by 10(-4) M PB to about half of the control level, while MEPSP amplitudes and time constants were not significantly affected. These results suggest that the ability of PB to depress various crayfish behaviors is due, at least in part, to a presynaptic ability of the drug to depress facilitation of transmitter release at glutamatergic synapses.

Activation of single ion channels from toad retinal rod inner segments by cyclic GMP: concentration dependence

1. Patch-clamp recordings of single cyclic GMP-activated channels from toad rod photoreceptors were made in inside-out membrane patches containing only one such channel. Patches were obtained from the inner segment, where the density of cyclic GMP-activated channels is lower than in the outer segment, making one-channel patches possible. The dependence of channel gating on cyclic GMP concentration ([cyclic GMP]) was studied. At low [cyclic GMP] (5-10 microM), channel openings were infrequent and occurred as bursts of rapid opening and closing. As [cyclic GMP] was increased, bursts became more frequent, until at 1 mM the activity fused into long bouts of rapid flicker between open and closed states. 2. The duration of brief openings and closings (flicker) within bursts was not affected by [cyclic GMP]. This suggests that the rapid flicker within bursts results from an intrinsic channel property not associated with agonist-induced receptor activation. 3. At 10 microM-cyclic GMP, the distribution of closed times was fitted by a sum of three exponential components. The briefest, with time constant averaging 0.29 ms, corresponded to the brief closings within bursts, while the two longer components, with time constants averaging 3.5 and 32 ms, corresponded to much longer closings between bursts. At 0.5 or 1 mM-cyclic GMP (saturation), the longer components disappeared, and the distribution of closed times was fitted by a single-exponential equation with the same time constant as the briefest component observed at lower concentrations. 4. Because the channel continued to flicker even at high [cyclic GMP], the maximal probability of being in the open state (Po) did not approach 1.0, averaging 0.30 +/- 0.05 (N = 8). The relation between Po and [cyclic GMP] was fitted by the Hill equation with an exponent of 3, suggesting that binding of cyclic GMP to multiple sites is required to open the channel.

Rapid activation and desensitization by glutamate of excitatory, cation-selective channels in locust muscle

Outside-out patches of membrane were excised from extensor tibiae muscles of locusts. L-Glutamate or its agonists were applied to such patches in short pulses by means of a lipid filament switch. Cationselective, excitatory channels were activated by quisqualate, L-glutamate and aspartate (in decreasing order of effectivity), but not by ibotenate, kainate, N-methyl-D-aspartate and glycine. At high agonist concentrations, channel activation reached a peak within 1 ms. Two kinetic types of channels have been identified: L-channels with on average relatively long and S-channels with short openings. Both types of channel openings showed surprisingly high rates of desensitization, channel activity declining after the initial surge to zero with time constants of about 25 and 3 ms, respectively. The L-channels exhibit open times close to those of channels recorded in M omega-seal studies. The S-channel has not been reported previously.

Ca2+-mediated suppression of the GABA-response through modulation of chloride channel gating in frog sensory neurones

A suppressant effect of intracellular free Ca2+ on the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-induced chloride inward current (ICI(GABA)) was studied in isolated frog sensory neurones under whole cell voltage clamp. Voltage-dependent Ca2+ influx elicited during the steady state of ICI(GABA)-induced a fast, slowly recovering current relaxation in the outward direction, the amplitude of which was dependent on total Ca2+ influx. This suppressant effect showed specificity for different divalent cations, suggesting action at a specific intracellular effector. Single channel recording revealed a Ca2+-dependent decrease in the duration of the open time of the GABA-gated Cl- channel without change in single channel conductance.

Ionic permeabilities of L-glutamate activated, excitatory synaptic channel in crayfish muscle

Excitatory single channel currents triggered by L-glutamate were measured in outside-out excised patches of crayfish muscle membrane. If an 'intracellular' solution was present in the pipette and normal extracellular solution with added glutamate (10(-3) M) passed the outside of the patch, the single channel currents, i1, had amplitudes of -8 pA at a patch potential of -70 mV. If in the extracellular solution Na+ was replaced by Li+ or Ca2+, the amplitudes of single channel currents were reduced by about 30%. Only about 20% of the channel current amplitude remained on replacement of Na+ by choline. Replacement of Na+ reduced the variance of channel amplitude distributions to the level of the baseline. Presence of Na+ thus induces an additional variance of open channel current. When the proportions of Na+/choline were varied, the resulting channel currents could be separated in Na+, Ca2+ and choline components. The amplitude of the Na+ component, i1,Na, could be described by a constant channel permeability pi Na = 110 10(-15) cm3 s-1 according to the constant field equation. Ba2+ could replace Ca2+ without change in single channel current, while replacement of Ca2+ by Mg2+ reduced the channel currents by 20%. The following permeabilities of the single channel were estimated (in 10(-15) cm3 s-1): pi Na = 110, pi K = 86, pi Ca = 30, pi Mg = 24, pi Ba = 30, pi Li = 84 and pi choline = 11. These permeabilities were obtained inserting ionic concentrations. The respective permeabilities are listed also as calculated on the basis of ionic activities.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Calcium dependent gating of the L-glutamate activated, excitatory synaptic channel on crayfish muscle

Excitatory, glutamate-activated single channel currents were measured in outside-out patches of crayfish muscle. The open times of single channel openings, and the durations and rates of bursts were evaluated. These kinetic parameters were not appreciably affected by replacement of extracellular Na+ by Li+ or choline. Changes in extracellular Ca2+ concentration Cao also did not influence the duration of single openings. However the mean burst duration decreased for Cao less than 13.5 mM and the rate of bursts declined with a power of almost 2 in low Cao. At Cao less than 1 mM practically no channel openings were observed in presence of glutamate. In order to exclude more rapid desensitization of the glutamate receptors in low Cao as the cause of disappearance of channel openings, glutamate was applied in short pulses with a liquid-filament switch. In 0 Cao also a glutamate pulse did not trigger channel openings. In presence of 13.5mM Cao, the inorganic Ca-channel blockers La3+ and Cd2+ diminished the duration and rate of bursts of channel openings in a similar manner as low Cao. The effects of low Cao and of Cd2+ were tested also on quantal postsynaptic currents, EPSCs, which were recorded through a perfused macro-patch-clamp electrode. At 1.4 mM Cao in the perfused electrode tip, spontaneous EPSCs were reduced at least by a factor of 4, and elicited EPSCs by a factor of 16. Application of Cd2+ had similarly strong effects on the EPSCs. Also the decay of EPSCs was shortened substantially in 1.4 mM Cao or 5 mM Cd2+. The inhibitory Cl(-)-channel of crayfish muscle, activated by glutamate or GABA, also was studied in outside-out patches. The openings of this channel persisted in 0 Cao solutions; the block of channel openings in low Cao thus is a specific property of the excitatory channel. The action of Cao on the excitatory channel may be described as that of a cofactor to glutamate. A possible reaction scheme is proposed.

Liquid filament switch for ultra-fast exchanges of solutions at excised patches of synaptic membrane of crayfish muscle

A liquid filament switch is described which can exchange the solution passing an excised outside-out patch of postsynaptic membrane within less than 1 ms. Application and washout of transmitter can be repeated at high rates. Results of such rapid activations by glutamate are shown for the excitatory and the inhibitory channel of crayfish muscle. The excitatory channel is activated within less than 0.5 ms, and after an initial peak of openings desensitizes with a time constant of 5 ms to a low steady-state level. A kinetic scheme of these reactions is proposed. The activation of the inhibitory channel is slower, and this channel desensitizes more slowly than the excitatory one.

Single glutamate-gated synaptic channels at the crayfish neuromuscular junction. I. The effect of enzyme treatment

Single glutamate activated ionic channels were recorded with the patch clamp technique from untreated crayfish muscle fibres with M omega seals, and after treatment with collagenase, with G omega seals. In regions with single channel activity spontaneous synaptic currents could also be recorded, and the channels were therefore identified as synaptic. The single channel current amplitude was -7 to -8 pA at the resting potential of -70 mV, representing a conductance of 100 pS. The amplitudes decreased by a factor of two when the temperature was lowered by 10 degrees C. Openings occurred in bursts, and the mean burst length varied between 0.3 ms (50 microM glutamate in the pipette) and 0.8 ms (1 mM glutamate in the pipette). After treatment with collagenase, G omega seals could be formed. The conductance of the channel and the mean burst length was not affected by the enzyme, but after treatment active spots could be found easier and they were distributed more uniformly along the fibre. After treatment the concentrations of glutamate necessary to elicit channel openings were higher (100 microM compared to 20-50 microM) and simultaneous openings of two or more channels were observed very rarely. Synaptic currents could not be recorded from preparations cleaned by collagenase (2 mg/ml) for longer than 60 min.