The effect of 2,4-dinitrophenol on neuromuscular transmission

Requirement of ATP for exocytotic release of catecholamines from digitonin-permeabilized adrenal chromaffin cells

Cultured chromaffin cells were preincubated with digitonin to deplete endogenous ATP from the cell cytoplasm. Catecholamine release from these digitonin-pretreated cells was then studied in the presence and absence of exogenous ATP to elucidate a possible involvement of the cytoplasmic ATP in the exocytotic process. The preincubation of the cells with digitonin in the ATP-free permeabilizing medium resulted in a marked decline of the releasing response to a calcium challenge. Furthermore, the declined activity of catecholamine release caused by digitonin pretreatment was restored by the presence of ATP, but not by other adenine nucleotides, and this recovery was observed in a manner dependent on the concentration of ATP. These findings, therefore, seem to indicate that a decrease in the releasing activity of the digitonin-pretreated cells may be due to the removal of endogenous ATP from the cytoplasmic space of the cells, thus suggesting that the cytoplasmic ATP may be involved in the exocytotic mechanism of catecholamine secretion.

Effects of ouabain on carotid body chemoreceptor activity in the cat

The effects of infusions of ouabain on chemoreceptor activity recorded from the peripheral end of a sectioned carotid sinus nerve were studied in cats anaesthetized with pentobarbitone. Ouabain caused a marked increase in chemoreceptor discharge followed by a decline in discharge to frequencies near or below the pre-ouabain level; during the latter period further administration of ouabain had no effect. Infusion of ouabain during hypoxia further increased the chemoreceptor discharge, but this effect was short-lasting. On intracarotid administration ouabain was less effective in cats with the ganglioglomerular (sympathetic) nerves cut, whereas on intravenous administration no significant difference was observed. Following intravenous administration of ouabain the chemoreceptor peak discharge occurred with dose levels similar to those needed to cause cardiac arrhythmias, but following intracarotid administration the chemoreceptor discharge peaked at doses about 40% of those causing arrhythmias. During ouabain-induced excitation the stimulatory action of NaCN, CO2-equilibrated Locke solution and acetylcholine was potentiated, as was the chemo-inhibition induced by dopamine. During the post-excitatory period the responses evoked by these substances were reduced or abolished. Neither mecamylamine, a nicotinic antagonist, nor physostigmine, an anti-cholinesterase, affected the response of the carotid chemoreceptors to ouabain. The major finding of this study was that ouabain initially 'sensitizes' the carotid body chemoreceptors and then 'desensitizes' them. The most likely mechanism responsible for these effects is the well established Na+--K+-ATPase-inhibiting property of ouabain.

Energy utilization in the induced release of gamma-aminobutyric acid from synaptosomes

Newly accumulated gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) was released from synaptosomes by treatment with 30 mM K+ or the Ca2+ ionophore A23187. Release was Ca2+-dependent and energy-dependent. The induced release of GABA was inhibited by S-13, an uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation, by azide, a blocker of mitochondrial respiration, and by oligomycin, efrapeptin, tributyltin and dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD), which are inhibitors of Ca2+/Mg2+-ATPases, including mitochondrial ATPase. Efrapeptin blocked GABA release induced by K+ but not A23187-induced release. Azide and oligomycin appeared to inhibit GABA release as a consequence of their effects on mitochondrial ATP synthesis. However, the inhibition of GABA release by the other compounds could not be totally accounted for by their effects on synaptosomal ATP stores. It is proposed that these compounds, in addition to affecting ATP synthesis, directly affect biochemical reactions involved in GABA release. Thus, these and similar inhibitors seem to be useful probes of the transmitter release process.

Pre- and post-junctional effects of 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene at the frog neuromuscular junction

1. FDNB increased by 60-90% the depolarization of the end-plate produced by applied carbachol in frog sciatic nerve-sartorius muscle preparations.2. In partially curarized preparations, FDNB (0.4 mM) increased the amplitude of the end-plate potential by a factor of 1.8.3. The quantal content of end-plate potentials was increased by FDNB (2 mM) as determined by the method of failures.4. After approximately 25-35 min, neuromuscular transmission was blocked by 0.4 mM-FDNB, as evidenced by abolition of neurally elicited end-plate potentials. At this stage miniature end-plate potentials could still be recorded, which indicates that the neuromuscular block was presynaptic.5. FDNB (0.4 mM) increased miniature end-plate potential frequency several hundred-fold when the Ringer solution contained normal calcium concentration (1.8 mM) or 0.45 mM calcium and 5.4 mM magnesium.6. During the first 60 min of exposure to 0.4 mM-FDNB there was a slight drop (4-6 mV) in resting potentials of muscle fibres. During this period directly initiated action potentials showed a marked decrease in the rate of repolarization and a small decrease in the amplitude and rate of rise.7. Using the technique of point voltage clamping in tetrodotoxin-treated muscles, it has been found that FDNB almost completely abolished the active increase in g(K) during stepwise depolarization of the nonjunctional muscle fibre membrane from -90 to 0 mV. The passive outward leakage current appeared unaffected by FDNB.