Spontaneous muscarinic suppression of the Ca-activated K-current in bullfrog sympathetic neurons

Nicotinic and muscarinic synaptic transmission in canine intracardiac ganglion cells innervating the sinoatrial node

Nicotinic and muscarinic mediated synaptic mechanisms were investigated in isolated, canine intracardiac ganglia taken from the right atrial fat pad. Using conventional intracellular microelectrode recording techniques on 216 neurons, fast and slow synaptic potentials were evoked by single or trains of stimulation of presynaptic fibers in interganglionic nerves. By varying the stimulus intensity, single or multiple fast excitatory postsynaptic potentials (f-EPSPs) were evoked, indicating the convergence of synaptic inputs on these cells. These f-EPSPs often reached the action potential threshold, were enhanced by the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor physostigmine and were blocked by the nicotinic antagonist hexamethonium. The f-EPSPs were accompanied by a decreased input resistance and had an extrapolated reversal potential of -7.1 mV, suggesting increased conductances to more than one cation. Repetitive presynaptic stimulation evoked slow excitatory postsynaptic potentials (s-EPSPs) in 41% of the cells while slow inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (s-IPSPs) or s-IPSPs followed by s-EPSPs were evoked in 19% of the cells. All slow potentials were abolished by atropine and low Ca2+/high Mg2+ solutions and enhanced by physostigmine. Hexamethonium and adrenergic receptor antagonists had no effects on s-EPSP and s-IPSP. The M1 receptor antagonist pirenzepine reversibly blocked the s-EPSP but not the s-IPSP. On the other hand, the M2 receptor blocker 4-diphenyl-acetoxy-N-methyl piperidine methiodide (4-DAMP) had no effects on the s-EPSP. These observations suggest that s-EPSPs and s-EPSPs are mediated by distinct muscarinic receptors. The amplitude of the s-EPSP and the depolarization evoked by the muscarinic agonist, bethanechol were accompanied by increased input resistance. These responses were decreased in amplitude by membrane hyperpolarization and either reversed polarity or declined to zero amplitude at about -80 mV, suggesting the inhibition of a potassium conductance.

The effects of soman on the electrical properties and excitability of bullfrog sympathetic ganglion neurones

1. The effects of soman (0.1-10 microM), an irreversible inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), were examined on the electrical properties of ganglion neurones of the paravertebral sympathetic chain of the bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana. 2. Soman (10 microM) depolarized 29 of 35 (83%) ganglion neurones studied by 6.4 +/- 0.65 mV within 10 min of application and reduced the cell input resistance in 9 of 11 neurones examined (82%) to 55 +/- 5.3% of control. 3. Soman (10 microM) significantly reduced the maximum amplitude and the maximum rate of rise of the action potential and the duration, but not the amplitude, of the after-hyperpolarization (AHP) following the action potential elicited by either direct or antidromic stimulation. The maximum rate of fall and the duration of the action potential were not significantly affected by soman. These actions of soman were independent of the agent-induced depolarization. When examined by a single microelectrode voltage clamp, soman reduced the amplitude and the time constant of the current underlying the slow AHP, IAHs. 4. Soman (1-10 microM) produced an increase in neuronal excitability which was evidenced as either an increase in the number of action potentials or a decrease in the interspike interval in response to constant-current depolarizing pulses. The soman-induced increase in excitability occurred independently of both the agent-induced depolarization and the decrease in input resistance, was reversible with washing, was not caused by an inhibition of the M-current and was also recorded in dissociated sympathetic ganglion neurones.5. The effects of soman on the membrane potential, input resistance and the duration of the AHP but not cell excitability were blocked by pretreatment with atropine (10 microM). Pretreatment with dihydro-/J-erythroidine (DHbetalE) (10 microM) was ineffective in blocking or reversing the effects of soman. These results suggest that the direct actions of soman on the electrical properties of these neurones are mediated by activation of muscarinic receptors.

Morphological and electrophysiological properties of C-cells in bullfrog dorsal root ganglia

Dissociated bullfrog dorsal root ganglion cells were voltage-clamped in the whole-cell configuration. Small spheroidal C-cells had a mean diameter of 14-30 microns and shared about 10% of the total population of the cells. The C-cells were characterized by a prominent calcium-activated potassium current underlying a hyperpolarization following the action potential. In contrast, a hyperpolarization-activated cationic inward rectifier was missing in all C-cells tested. These properties were completely different from those which have been observed for large spheroidal A-cells.

Inhibition of Ca2+ and K+ channels in sympathetic neurons by neuropeptides and other ganglionic transmitters

Neuropeptides are known to modulate the excitability of frog sympathetic neurons by inhibiting the M-current and increasing the leak current, but their effects on Ca2+ channels are poorly understood. We compared effects of LHRH, substance P, epinephrine, and muscarine on Ca2+, K+, and leak currents in dissociated frog sympathetic neurons. At concentrations that inhibit M-current, LHRH and substance P strongly reduced N-type Ca2+ current and induced a leak conductance that may contribute to slow EPSPs. In contrast, muscarine produced little reduction of Ca2+ current, even in cells in which it strongly suppressed the M-current. We find that peptidergic inhibition of Ca2+ channels involves G proteins, but does not require protein kinases. In addition, it leads to reductions in Ca2(+)-activated K+ current and catecholamine release.

M1 and M2 muscarinic receptors mediate excitation and inhibition of guinea-pig intracardiac neurones in culture

1. The effects of muscarine upon intracardiac neurones cultured from ganglia within the atria and interatrial septum of the newborn guinea-pig heart were studied using intracellular recording techniques. 2. Muscarine applied to the neuronal soma typically produced a biphasic change in membrane potential which consisted of a small hyperpolarization followed by a depolarization. In addition, muscarine (0.01-10 microM) inhibited the calcium-dependent, after-hyperpolarization (AHP) and greatly increased the number of action potentials that could be evoked by a given depolarizing current. 3. The hyperpolarization was associated with a decrease in input resistance and it reversed to become a depolarization at a potential of -86.5 mV. This response was antagonized by 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methyl-piperidine (4-DAMP; 100 nM) and AF-DX 116 (500 nM), but was unaffected by pirenzepine (0.1-5 microM). 4. Two types of slow depolarization were observed in the presence of muscarine. The most common was associated with an increase in input resistance in the potential range -70 to -40 mV. Pirenzepine (100 nM) selectively antagonized this response, 4-DAMP (100 nM) similarly antagonized the response, but was non-selective. AF-DX 116 (0.5-5 microM) showed no antagonist effect. The less common depolarization (5% of cells) had a long latency and was associated with a decrease in input resistance. 5. Muscarine reduced the duration of the action potential and inhibited the AHP. Cadmium chloride (100 microM) mimicked these actions of muscarine. Application of muscarine immediately following a train of action potentials did not inhibit the AHP, suggesting that muscarine did not directly inhibit the calcium-activated potassium current (IK(Ca)). Muscarine-induced depression of the slow AHP was antagonized by 4-DAMP (100 nM) but was not antagonized by either pirenzepine (0.1-0.5 microM) or AF-DX 116 (0.5-5 microM). 6. It is concluded that the muscarine-induced depolarization of guinea-pig intracardiac neurones results from reduction of a potassium conductance similar to the M-conductance, through activation of M1 muscarinic receptors. The hyperpolarization results from an increase in potassium conductance, through activation of M2 muscarinic receptors.

Extracellular calcium ions are required for muscarine-sensitive potassium current in bullfrog sympathetic neurons

Cultured bullfrog sympathetic neurons were voltage-clamped in the whole-cell configuration. The extracellular medium contained tetrodotoxin (3 microM) and cesium (1 mM) to block and inward sodium current and a hyperpolarization-activated cation current Attempts were made to separate the M-current from four other potassium currents. Tetraethylammonium (30 mM) was used to block a classical delayed rectifier current (IK) and a fast calcium-activated current (IC). Apamin (30 nM) was used to block a slow calcium-activated current (IAHP). 4-Aminopyridine (1 mM) was used to reduce the amplitude of a transient current (IA). In these conditions, the maximum M-conductance near 0 mV was reduced by as much as 90% when divalent cations such as cobalt (1 mM) were added to the superfusate. The maximum M-conductance was also reduced by as much as 60% when calcium ions were removed from the superfusate. The half-activation voltage in the steady-state activation curve and the reversal potential of the M-current were not significantly changed in the calcium-free solution. It is suggested that the presence of calcium ions in the extracellular space is required for the M-current activation.

Cyclic AMP regulates an inward rectifying sodium-potassium current in dissociated bull-frog sympathetic neurones

1. Bull-frog sympathetic neurones in primary culture were voltage clamped in the whole-cell configuration. The pipette solution contained ATP (5 mM). 2. A hyperpolarization-activated sodium-potassium current (H-current: IH) was separated from other membrane currents in a nominally calcium-free solution containing cobalt (2 mM), magnesium (4 mM), barium (2 mM), tetraethylammonium (20 mM), tetrodotoxin (3 microM), apamin (30 nM) and 4-aminopyridine (1 mM). IH was selectively blocked by caesium (10-300 microM). 3. The steady-state activation of IH occurred between -60 and -130 mV. The H-conductance was 4.1-6.6 nS at the half-activation voltage of -90 mV. With the concentrations of potassium and sodium ions in the superfusate at 20 and 70 mM, respectively, the reversal potential of IH was about -20 mV. IH was activated with a time constant of 2.8 s at -90 mV and 22 degrees C. The Q10 between 16 and 26 degrees C was 4.3. 4. A non-hydrolysable ATP analogue in the pipette solution did not support IH activation. Intracellular 'loading' of GTP-gamma-S (30-500 microM) led to a progressive activation of IH. 5. Forskolin (10 microM) increased the maximum conductance of IH by 70%. This was associated with a depolarizing shift in the half-activation voltage (5-10 mV) and in the voltage dependence of the activation/deactivation time constant of IH. 6. Essentially the same results as with forskolin were obtained by intracellular 'loading' with cyclic AMP (3-10 microM) or bath application of 8-bromo cyclic AMP (0.1-1 mM), dibutyryl cyclic AMP (1 mM) and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (0.1-1 mM). 7. The protein kinase inhibitor H-8 (1-10 microM) decreased the peak amplitude of IH. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (10 microM), a protein kinase C activator, was without effect. 8. It is concluded that a voltage-dependent cation current can be regulated by the basal activity of adenylate cyclase, presumably through protein kinase A, in vertebrate sympathetic neurones.

Muscarinic agonists and potassium currents in guinea-pig myenteric neurones

1. Intracellular electrophysiological recordings were obtained from single neurones of the guinea-pig myenteric plexus in vitro. Using single electrode voltage clamp techniques, four distinct potassium currents were described and the effects of muscarinic agonists on these currents were studied. 2. A calcium-dependent potassium current (gKCa) was present in AH neurones at rest, and was much increased following a brief depolarization (50 ms, to 0 mV). Muscarinic agonists reduced both the resting current and the current evoked by depolarization. Pirenzepine competitively antagonized the suppression by muscarine of the calcium-dependent potassium current (or after-hyperpolarization) following an action potential. The dissociation equilibrium constant for pirenzepine was about 10 nM. 3. The conductance of AH neurones increased two to three fold when they were hyperpolarized negative to -90 mV. This inward rectification was blocked by extracellular caesium (2 mM) or rubidium (2 mM), but not by tetraethylammonium (TEA, 40 mM), 4-aminopyridine (100 microM) or cobalt (2 mM). The inward rectification was unaffected by muscarinic agonists. 4. When AH neurones were depolarized from very negative holding potentials (less than -80 mV) a brief outward current was recorded with a duration of about 200 ms. This transient or A current was completely blocked by 4-aminopyridine (100 microM) but was not affected by tetrodotoxin (300 nM), TEA (40 mM) or cobalt (2 mM). Muscarinic agonists did not affect the A current. 5. In S neurones, and in AH neurones in calcium-free solutions, the potassium conductance (in TEA and caesium) behaved according to constant field assumptions. This background conductance was suppressed by muscarinic agonists. 6. It is concluded that the depolarization by muscarinic agonists of myenteric AH neurones is due to a suppression of both a calcium-dependent potassium conductance and a background potassium conductance. Muscarinic depolarization of S neurones results only from suppression of the background potassium conductance. Effects on both conductances result from M1-receptor activation. Inward rectifying and transient outward (A) potassium currents are unaffected.

Autoregulation of acetylcholine release from vagus nerve terminals through activation of muscarinic receptors in the dog trachea

1. The effects of pirenzepine and gallamine on the membrane and contractile properties of smooth muscle cells and on excitatory neuro-effector transmission in the dog trachea were investigated by means of microelectrode, double sucrose gap and tension recording methods. 2. Pirenzepine (10(-7) M) and gallamine (10(-5) M) had no effect on the resting membrane potential or the input resistance of the smooth muscle cells. 3. Pirenzepine (10(-10)-10(-9) M) and gallamine (10(-7) M) enhanced the amplitude of twitch contractions evoked by field stimulation in the combined presence of indomethacin (10(-5) M) and propranolol (10(-6) M). At higher concentrations pirenzepine (10(-8) M) inhibited the twitch contractions in a dose-dependent manner. Both pirenzepine and gallamine in doses over 10(-7) and 10(-5) M, respectively, reduced muscle tone. 4. Pirenzepine (10(-10)-10(-9) M) and gallamine (10(-7) M) enhanced the amplitude of excitatory junction potentials (e.j.ps) evoked by field stimulation (single or repetitive stimulation). However, a high concentration of pirenzepine (10(-8) M) reduced the amplitude of e.j.ps. In parallel with its action on e.j.ps, pirenzepine (over 10(-9) M) reduced the response of smooth muscle cells to acetylcholine (ACh), in a dose-dependent manner. Gallamine (5 X 10(-5) M) markedly enhanced the amplitude of e.j.ps but also reduced the response of muscle cells to ACh. 5. ACh (10(-10)-10(-9) M) inhibited twitch contractions evoked by field stimulation, with a slight increase of resting tension. 6. Gallamine enhanced the summation of e.j.ps during repetitive field stimulation at a high frequency (20 Hz), but was without effect on the depression phenomena of e.j.ps observed during double stimulus experiments at different time intervals (5-60 s). 7. These results indicate that both pirenzepine and gallamine have dual actions on pre- and post-junctional muscarinic receptors in dog tracheal tissue. At low concentrations both agents potentiate excitatory neuro-effector transmission, presumably due to enhancement of release of ACh from vagal nerve terminals through blockade of a negative auto-regulatory process activated by endogenous ACh. At higher concentrations, these agents inhibit the response of smooth muscle cells to ACh through post-junctional muscarinic receptors and relaxation of the muscle tissue occurs.

Intrinsic properties of neurones in the dorsal cochlear nucleus of mice, in vitro

1. Intracellular recordings were made from the dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN) in slices of the cochlear nuclear complex. Probably the larger and most frequent cells were impaled. 2. The steady-state current-voltage (I-V) properties of all cells impaled were nonlinear. The I-V curve was steepest in the voltage range depolarized from the resting potential and most shallow when the cell was hyperpolarized from rest by more than about 10 mV. Thus, the inwardly rectifying I-V characteristics of cells in the DCN distinguish them from those of ventral cochlear nuclear neurones (Oertel, 1983). 3. When depolarized with current, most cells fired trains of large, all-or-none action potentials. The undershoot after single spikes comprised an initial, fast component followed by a second, slower wave. A few cells (15%) generated bursts of smaller, graded spikes in addition to the large ones. 4. Repetitive firing evoked by depolarizing pulses of current was followed by an after-hyperpolarization whose magnitude depended on the strength and duration of the preceding current pulse. 5. Blocking the large action potentials with tetrodotoxin (TTX) revealed Ca2+-dependent spikes in all cells examined. 6. The steady-state I-V relationship became linear in the presence of TTX, suggesting that a persistent Na+ conductance probably mediates the inward rectification seen above the resting potential. 7. Muscarine at micromolar concentrations excited cells and increased their input resistance.

Pharmacological and physiological properties of the after-hyperpolarization current of bullfrog ganglion neurones

1. The slowly decaying, calcium-dependent after-hyperpolarization (a.h.p.) that follows action potentials in bullfrog ganglion B cells has previously been shown to be generated by a potassium current called IAHP. We have recorded IAHP using a switched, single-electrode hybrid clamp where current-clamp mode was changed to voltage-clamp mode immediately after repolarization of a spike or the last spike of a train. 2. Reduction of extracellular calcium reduced the decay time of IAHP following a single spike. At all levels of extracellular calcium tested (0.5-4 mM), the decay time of IAHP was longer following a train of action potentials than following a single action potential. Thus, the time course of IAHP evoked by action potentials is a function of the calcium load induced by the action potentials. Conversely, agents that reduce the amount of IAHP activated without affecting its rate of decay, probably do not affect calcium influx. 3. Muscarine (2 or 10 microM) inhibits IAHP following an action potential by at most 30% and has no effect on decay rate of IAHP. These results suggest that muscarine has little or no effect on either calcium influx or sequestration. Decay of the a.h.p. is accelerated by muscarine but this effect is due to an increased leak conductance. 4. Charybdotoxin (CTX) between 4 and 20 nM, prolongs action potential duration in a manner consistent with blockade of the voltage- and calcium-dependent potassium current (Ic) involved in spike repolarization in these cells. This action is consistent with its reported action on analogous channels in other systems. However, CTX also reduces IAHP. Thus, in bullfrog ganglion neurones, two distinct calcium-dependent potassium currents exhibit a comparable sensitivity to CTX. This cannot be due to a decreased influx of calcium because the decay rate of IAHP following an action potential is unchanged. The action of CTX was observed with both crude and purified preparations of CTX. 5. Apamin (25 nM) and (+)-tubocurarine (concentration giving 50% of maximal inhibition = 20 microM) block IAHP without affecting action potential duration. The action of (+)-tubocurarine is more readily reversible than apamin. Approximately 20% of IAHP is resistant to blockade by either apamin or (+)-tubocurarine. 6. Muscarine was used to block the M-current (IM) selectively and (+)-tubocurarine was used to inhibit IAHP selectively. Both currents were shown to contribute to spike frequency adaptation. Inhibition of both IM and IAHP has a synergistic action to increase repetitive firing.

Intracellular Ca2+-ions inactivate K+-current in bullfrog sympathetic neurons

Neurons from bullfrog sympathetic ganglia were voltage clamped using a single microelectrode, in a sodium-free, calcium-rich solution containing tetraethylammonium. A brief inward calcium current was followed by a long-lasting inward current. The long-lasting inward current corresponded to a depolarizing afterpotential which followed a calcium spike under the current clamp. It was largely due to the M-channel closure. The present study indicates that massive calcium entry can cause inactivation of potassium conductance in vertebrate neurons.