Effects of membrane potential and temperature on the excitatory post-synaptic current in the crayfish muscle

Voltage-dependent gating of NR1/2B NMDA receptors

Ligand-gated ion channels are activated by agonist binding, but may also be modulated by membrane voltage. N-Methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) exhibit especially strong voltage dependence due to channel block by external Mg(2+) (Mg(o)(2+)). Here we demonstrate that activity of NMDARs composed of NR1 and NR2B subunits (NR1/2B receptors) is enhanced by depolarization even in 0 Mg(o)(2+), causing slow current relaxations in response to rapid voltage changes. We present a kinetic model of receptor activation that incorporates voltage-dependent gating-associated NR2B subunit conformational changes. The model accurately reproduces current relaxations during depolarizations and subsequent repolarizations in 0 Mg(o)(2+). Model simulations in physiological Mg(o)(2+) concentrations show that voltage-dependent receptor gating also underlies the slow component of Mg(o)(2+) unblock, a phenomenon that previously was shown to influence Mg(o)(2+) unblock kinetics during dendritic spikes. We propose that voltage-dependent gating of NR1/2B receptors confers enhanced voltage and time dependence on NMDAR-mediated signalling.

Effects of mobile buffers on facilitation: experimental and computational studies

Facilitation is an important form of short-term plasticity that occurs in most synapses. At crayfish neuromuscular junctions, basal transmission and facilitation were significantly reduced after presynaptic introduction of "fast" high-affinity calcium buffers, and the decay of facilitation was accelerated. The existence of residual calcium during facilitation was also demonstrated. Computational modeling of three-dimensional buffered Ca(2+) diffusion and binding to secretory and facilitation targets suggest that the facilitation site is located away from a secretory trigger mediating exocytosis; otherwise, the facilitation site would be saturated by each action potential. Our simulations account for many characteristics of facilitation and effects of exogenous buffer, and suggest that facilitation is caused by residual calcium gaining access to a site distinct from the secretory trigger through restricted diffusion.

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.

Comparison of fast responses to serotonin and 2-methyl-serotonin in voltage-clamped N1E-115 neuroblastoma cells

The activation of 5-HT3 receptors by 5-HT and 2-methyl-5-HT was studied with 'concentration-jump' techniques in voltage-clamped N1E-115 cells grown in culture. When applied to single cells with a fast perfusion technique, both agonists induced currents the on-rate kinetics of which were concentration-dependent. Based on the time constants of current kinetics and subsequent estimates of agonist association and dissociation rates, an apparent Kd of 1.3 microM was determined for 5-HT, a value in agreement with binding and functional studies. Receptor activation by 2-methyl-5-HT was slower, consistent with its lower potency as compared to the parent compound. In addition, the rise time of 2-methyl-5-HT-mediated currents was affected by hyperpolarizing membrane potential. The results show evidence of different molecular behaviors for the two agonists.

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.

Excitatory postsynaptic currents in response to different synaptic inputs of frog spinal motoneurons

Excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) evoked by the primary afferents (dorsal root; DR) and the descending lateral column (LC) fibers were studied in frog spinal motoneurons under voltage clamp with two separate electrodes. The average rise time and half-width of the EPSCs were shorter for LC-EPSCs than for DR-EPSCs, though the values of the parameters for LC- and DR-EPSCs were distributed within a similar range. The relation between the amplitudes of the EPSP and EPSC was almost linear. The amount of current required to generate a 1 mV increment in the EPSP was 5.0 +/- 2.3 nA for the DR-EPSC and 3.8 +/- 1.2 nA for the LC-EPSC. The decay time was shortened by hyperpolarization and prolonged by depolarization in DR- and LC-EPSCs and spontaneous EPSCs. The reversal potential ranged from -30 to -5 mV and was almost identical for DR- and LC-EPSCs and spontaneous EPSCs in individual motoneurons. The current-voltage relation was linear from -100 to +50 mV for these EPSCs. Spontaneous EPSCs became more prominent and frequent during a large hyperpolarization or a large depolarization. These results suggest that the ionic mechanisms underlying EPSC are similar for the functionally different excitatory synapses located on motoneurons.

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.

Aliphatic alcohols increase the decay rate of glutamate-activated currents at the crayfish neuromuscular junction

Excitatory junction currents produced by glutamate were recorded with an extracellular electrode at the excitatory neuromuscular junction of the crayfish. The currents decayed more quickly as the membrane was hyperpolarized. The direction of the voltage sensitivity of the decay phase is thus opposite to that found for acetylcholine-activated currents at the amphibian endplate. The aliphatic alcohols ethanol to octanol all increased the rate of decay of the currents. The effects of the short chain alcohols were opposite to their actions at the toad endplate, where ethanol to pentanol prolong the currents. This observation was explained in terms of the opposite direction of the voltage sensitivity in the two preparations. For each alcohol, the relationship between the half-decay time of the currents (t 1/2) and alcohol concentration was exponential. The potency of each alcohol in decreasing t 1/2 was exponentially related to carbon chain length, which would be predicted if the effects of the alcohols were directly related to their concentration in the lipid phase of the membrane. These findings are consistent with the ideas that the alcohols may alter membrane polarizability or change membrane fluidity in the vicinity of the channels.

Some properties of excitatory junction currents recorded from submucosal arterioles of guinea-pig ileum

Excitatory junction potentials and excitatory junction currents have been recorded from short segments of arterioles taken from the submucosa of guinea-pig small intestine. Excitatory junction currents reached their peak amplitudes by 20 ms and then decayed, with a time course that could be described by a single exponential (mean time constant of decay approximately 50 ms). The null potential for excitatory junction currents obtained by extrapolation was near 0 mV. The time course of excitatory junction currents failed to show voltage sensitivity. Spontaneous excitatory junction currents had the same time course as evoked currents; the amplitudes of spontaneous currents were less than an order of magnitude different from that of evoked currents.

The synaptic current evoked in cat spinal motoneurones by impulses in single group 1a axons

Excitatory post-synaptic potentials (e.p.s.p.s) were evoked in motoneurones of anaesthetized cats by impulses in single group 1 a axons. E.p.s.p.s with a time course which indicated a somatic site of origin were voltage-clamped using a single micro-electrode clamp. Excitatory post-synaptic currents (e.p.s.c.s) were found to peak in less than 0.2 ms, and to decay with an exponential time course. The time constant of decay was usually in the range 0.3-0.4 ms (at 37 degrees C). At the resting membrane potential, an e.p.s.p. with a peak of 100 microV was generated by an average peak e.p.s.c. of 330 pA. This corresponded to an average peak conductance increase of 5 nS. The e.p.s.c. decreased with membrane depolarization, and reversed to become an outward current at a null potential of +4.6 +/- 2 mV (+/- S.E. of mean; n = 7). Membrane hyperpolarization caused the peak e.p.s.c. to increase and the time constant of decay of the e.p.s.c. to decrease. The total charge in the synaptic current did not increase with hyperpolarization. This observation can explain earlier observations which showed that the peak amplitude of the e.p.s.p. did not increase with hyperpolarization. The number of ion channels opened by transmitter release at a single somatic bouton was estimated to be in the range 40-240.

Excitatory junctional responses and glutamate responses at the crayfish neuromuscular junction in the presence of chlorisondamine

At the crayfish neuromuscular junction chlorisondamine reduced the amplitude of both the excitatory junctional potential and the glutamate current in a dose-dependent manner in concentrations above 3 microM, and it is suggested that the drug is a powerful non-competitive antagonist for glutamate. Chlorisondamine did not act presynaptically on the crayfish neuromuscular junction. A double exponential decay of excitatory synaptic currents was observed in the presence of chlorisondamine, suggesting that this drug is an open channel blocker for the excitatory neurotransmitter. The glutamate current tail was prolonged in the presence of chlorisondamine. This prolongation increased with increasing iontophoretic current of glutamate. The rate of recovery from the refractory form of the glutamate receptor to the free reactive one was hardly affected by chlorisondamine. The inhibitory action of chlorisondamine on glutamate responses was voltage-dependent and hyperpolarization reduced the drug action. Chlorisondamine depressed the glutamate current even in Na-free, Ca-rich solution.

Voltage-dependent drug blockade of L-glutamate activated channels of the crayfish

The actions of d-tubocurarine (d-TC) and local anaesthetics on the L-glutamate activated channel at the voltage-clamped crayfish neuromuscular junction were studied. The effect of d-TC and local anaesthetics on the dose-response relationship between ionophoretically applied L-glutamate and synaptic current suggested that both acted as non-competitive inhibitors. The amount of inhibition was voltage dependent, and increased as the membrane potential was hyperpolarized. This voltage-dependent block was also manifest in a flattening of the I-V relationship between L-glutamate induced current and membrane potential in the presence of d-TC. However, the reversal potential for the L-glutamate activated channel was not affected; it was about +7 mV in both the presence and absence of d-TC. The neurally evoked excitatory post-synaptic current (e.p.s.c.) was depressed in the presence of these drugs and this effect was also voltage dependent. The time course of the e.p.s.c. was affected, but less so than expected if the L-glutamate activated channel were identical to the channel opened by acetylcholine at the vertebrate neuromuscular junction. Possible reasons for this discrepancy are discussed.

Permeability changes induced by L-glutamate at the crayfish neuromuscular junction

Two different methods are described which allow the reversal potential (Er) for the channels opened by L-glutamate at the voltage-clamped, crayfish neuromuscular junction to be measured accurately. In both cases the value of Er was found to be about +6 mV. Reversal potentials were also measured in solutions where Na+ was replaced by K+, Ca2+, or Mg2+; or in which Cl- was replaced by isethionate. In solutions where Na+ was partially replaced by K+, the measured reversal potentials were compared to theoretical values predicted by both the constant-field and equivalent-circuit equations. The experimental values were more accurately described by the constant-field equation. Permeability ratios (PX/PNa) for K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, and Cl- were calculated using the constant-field equation. K+ and Na+ were equally permeant while Ca2+ and Mg2+ were about half as permeant as the monovalent cations. Cl- was impermeant. The results of these experiments indicate that the L-glutamate activated channel is non-selective for cations. Furthermore, the value of the permeability ratios for the physiological cations tested are very similar to those obtained for the acetylcholine activated channel in vertebrate skeletal muscle.

Trimethaphan as a glutamate inhibitor at the crayfish neuromuscular junction

At the crayfish neuromuscular junction trimethaphan reduced the amplitude of both the glutamate-induced synaptic current and the excitatory junctional current in a dose-dependent manner at concentrations greater than 5 microM. These effects were dependent on membrane potential. Trimethaphan did not affect the inhibitory junctional potential and the input resistance of the opener muscle. The dose-response curves for inhibition of glutamate responses by trimethaphan suggest that trimethaphan is not a competitive glutamate antagonist. A quantum analysis of extracellularly recorded excitatory junctional potentials showed that trimethaphan decreased both quantum content and average unit size. Trimethaphan also prolonged the glutamate currents evoked by both short and prolonged ionophoretic currents, but the decay of nerve-evoked synaptic currents was accelerated by the drug. Three explanations worthy of consideration to explain the action of trimethaphan are the responses of extra-junctional receptors, the sudden release and short actions of the neurotransmitter in contrast with the progressive application and long exposure of exogenous agonists to receptors, and discrimination of glutamate and excitatory transmitter in the crayfish neuromuscular junction. The second of these possibilities is mainly discussed at length.

Glutamate activated postsynaptic channels in crayfish muscle investigated by noise analysis

Excitatory synaptic channels in crayfish muscle were investigated under various experimental conditions. Small muscle fibres of length l less than or equal to 0.6 mm were voltage clamped, spatial control of the voltage being sufficient up to at least 500 Hz. Excitatory synaptic current was induced by superfusion of glutamate. The power density spectra of this current could be fitted by single component Lorentz curves. The analysis revealed a mean open time tau noise = 0.93 ms and a conductance gamma = 32.3 pS of the glutamate operated ion channels (membrane potential E = -60 mV, temperature T = 8 degrees C). Both the conductance gamma and the channel closing rate alpha = tau -1 noise increased significantly with temperature (Q10 approximately 2). The temperature dependence of gamma and alpha could be described by Arrhenius equations with the temperature independent activation energies E gamma = 42.3 kJ/mol and E alpha = 50.2 kJ/mol. alpha also dependent on the membrane potential, increasing about e-fold when the membrane was hyperpolarized by 120 mV. The potential dependence varied considerably from fibre to fibre. The mean channel open time tau noise agreed with the time constant of decay tau (sEPSC) of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs).

Comparison of excitatory currents activated by different transmitters on crustacean muscle. II. Glutamate-activated currents and comparison with acetylcholine currents present on the same muscle

The properties of glutamate-activated excitatory currents on the gm6 muscle from the foregut of the spiny lobsters Panulirus argus and interruptus and the crab Cancer borealis were examined using either noise analysis, analysis of synaptic current decays, or slow iontophoretic currents. The properties of acetylcholine currents activated in nonjunctional regions of the gm6 muscle were also examined. At 12 degrees C and -80 mV, the predominant time constant of power spectra from glutamate-activated current noise was approximately 7 ms and the elementary conductance was approximately 34 pS. At 12 degrees C and -80 mV, the predominant time constant of acetylcholine-activated channels was approximately 11 ms with a conductance of approximately 12 pS. Focally recorded glutamatergic extracellular synaptic currents on the gm6 muscle decayed with time constants of approximately 7-8 ms at 12 degrees C and -80 mV. The decay time constant was prolonged e-fold about every 225-mV hyperpolarization in membrane potential. The Q10 of the time constant of the synaptic current decay was approximately 2.6. The voltage dependence of the steady-state conductance increase activated by iontophoretic application of glutamate has the opposite direction of the steady-state conductance activated by cholinergic agonists when compared on the gm6 muscles. The glutamate-activated conductance increase is diminished with hyperpolarization. The properties of the marine crustacean glutamate channels are discussed in relation to glutamate channels in other organisms and to the acetylcholine channels found on the gm6 muscle and the gm1 muscle of the decapod foregut (Lingle and Auerbach, 1983).

Comparison of excitatory currents activated by different transmitters on crustacean muscle. I. Acetylcholine-activated channels

The properties of acetylcholine-activated excitatory currents on the gm1 muscle of three marine decapod crustaceans, the spiny lobsters Panulirus argus and interruptus, and the crab Cancer borealis, were examined using either noise analysis, analysis of synaptic current decays, or analysis of the voltage dependence of ionophoretically activated cholinergic conductance increases. The apparent mean channel open time (tau n) obtained from noise analysis at -80 mV and 12 degrees C was approximately 13 ms; tau n was prolonged e-fold for about every 100-mV hyperpolarization in membrane potential; tau n was prolonged e-fold for every 10 degrees C decrease in temperature. Gamma, the single-channel conductance, at 12 degrees C was approximately 18 pS and was not affected by voltage; gamma was increased approximately 2.5-fold for every 10 degrees C increase in temperature. Synaptic currents decayed with a single exponential time course, and at -80 mV and 12 degrees C, the time constant of decay of synaptic currents, tau ejc, was approximately 14-15 ms and was prolonged e-fold about every 140-mV hyperpolarization; tau ejc was prolonged about e-fold for every 10 degrees C decrease in temperature. The voltage dependence of the amplitude of steady-state cholinergic currents suggests that the total conductance increase produced by cholinergic agonists is increased with hyperpolarization. Compared with glutamate channels found on similar decapod muscles (see the following article), the acetylcholine channels stay open longer, conduct ions more slowly, and are more sensitive to changes in the membrane potential.

Neurotransmitter release and its facilitation in crayfish. I. Saturation kinetics of release, and of entry and removal of calcium

Release and facilitated release of transmitter at neuromuscular junctions of the crayfish Astacus were measured as a function of [Ca]0 at single junctions using a patch clamp technique. Tests were made of a quantitative model that relates release of transmitter to [Ca]i. The model assumes three processes, entry of Ca during the action potential, release of transmitter as a function of [Ca]i, and removal of Ca after the action potential. Each process is described alternatively by linear kinetics or saturation kinetics, and predictions for different combinations of the equations are given. The main findings were in agreement with those predicted by the "saturation" model. The amplitude of synaptic current varies non-linearly with [Ca]0, log-log plot yielding a slope of about 1.6. The degree of facilitation at long intervals is an increasing function of [Ca]0. In addition, the duration of facilitation is prolonged as [Ca]0 is increased, to saturate at [Ca]0 of 9 mM.

Properties of miniature excitatory junctional currents at the locust nerve-muscle junction

1. Miniature excitatory junctional currents (m.e.j.c.s) were examined in conditions where inward current was carried mainly by Na(+) (i.e. in normal medium, Ca(2+)-free medium and Cl(-)-free medium). M.e.j.c.s were also examined in isotonic Ca(2+) where the inward post-synaptic current was carried mainly by Ca(2+).2. In normal medium, mean m.e.j.c. amplitude = 2.34+/-0.05 nA. The decay time constant of m.e.j.c.s (excluding a small percentage with abnormal shapes) was tau(m.e.j.c.) = 2.62+/-0.11 msec (V(m) = -80 mV, T = 22 degrees C). Decay-time was not markedly changed in Ca(2+)-free or Cl(-)-free medium. tau(m.e.j.c.) approaches the life-time of glutamate activated junctional channels.3. Excitatory junctional currents, evoked by nerve impulses, decayed slightly faster than m.e.j.c.s obtained in the same fibres. Extracellularly recorded m.e.j.c.s and voltage-clamped m.e.j.c.s were similar in time course.4. tau(m.e.j.c.) decreased exponentially with membrane hyperpolarization. An e-fold change was produced by 182.+/-24.8 mV change in V(m).5. The dependence of mean m.e.j.c. amplitude on clamp potential showed a slight non-linearity at hyperpolarized levels. The equilibrium potential for transmitter action was close to 0 mV in normal solution as well as in Ca(2+)-free and Cl(-)-free solutions.6. The kinetics of junctional channels are altered in isotonic Ca(2+). M.e.j.c. amplitude was reduced to about one-third normal size; mean m.e.j.c. = 0.74+/-0.03 nA. The decay time becomes markedly briefer, tau(m.e.j.c.) = 1.01+/-0.08 msec, indicating a reduction in mean channel life-time (V(m) = -80 mV, T = 22 degrees C).7. A population of slow time course and composite m.e.j.c.s appear when muscle fibres are hyperpolarized in isotonic Ca(2+), thus producing a prolongation in mean tau(m.e.j.c.). This results from an influence of post-synaptic membrane potential on presynaptic transmitter release. If such m.e.j.c.s are ignored the voltage dependence of tau(m.e.j.c.) of the remaining events is abolished or even reversed indicating that voltage sensitivity of channel life-time is altered in isotonic Ca(2+). The equilibrium potential for transmitter action may be slightly more positive than normal.8. We estimate that a single packet of neurally released transmitter normally opens, on average, 250 ion channels at these junctions.

Single glutamate-activated channels recorded from locust muscle fibres with perfused patch-clamp electrodes

1. Glutamate-activated single channels have been examined with conventional and internally perfused patch-clamp electrodes applied to the extrajunctional membrane of locust muscle fibres which were usually treated with concanavalin A to reduce desensitization. Channels opened by glutamate and other agonists have been compared.2. Recording patches were selected where there appeared to be only one active channel under the pipette. The conductance for single glutamate-activated channels was 150 pS and was not markedly dependent on clamp potential. The lifetimes of the channels were usually exponentially distributed with a mean of tau(glutamate) = 2.3 +/- 0.12 msec, T = 23 degrees C, V(m) = -60 mV.3. Channels opened by fluoroglutamate had a mean lifetime of tau(fluoroglutamate) = 1.4 +/- 0.1 msec; channels opened by quisqualate had a mean lifetime of tau(quisqualate) = 6.4 +/- 1.0 msec. The conductances of channels opened by fluoroglutamate, quisqualate and glutamate were not significantly different.4. The behaviour of individual receptor-channel complexes has been examined at various concentrations of glutamate. Drug solutions were applied through an internal perfusion pipette which allowed exchange of the solution in the patch-electrode tip within 10 sec. The distribution of channel closed times could be fitted with a single exponential. Channel lifetime was not markedly dependent on glutamate concentration (30-600 mum) whereas the channel closed time decreased with increasing glutamate concentration.5. The reciprocal of channel closed time vs. glutamate concentration had a slope value of 1.85 on logarithmic co-ordinates. The approximately second power dependence of net forward reaction rate on glutamate concentration suggests that at least two glutamate molecules activate a single receptor-channel complex.6. The apparent dissociation constant for the glutamate-receptor complex is large, being about 300-500 muM. If the receptors have an equally low affinity for neurally released transmitter, then only a small amount of the transmitter packet is expected to bind to receptors. Quisqualate and glutamate have similar receptor affinities whereas receptor affinity for fluoroglutamate is smaller.

Distribution and pharmacological properties of synaptic and extrasynaptic glutamate receptors on crayfish muscle

1. The distribution of glutamate sensitivity was measured in the opener muscle in the walking legs of the crayfish (Cambarus clarkii). L-Glutamate was ionophoretically applied under visual control. 2. Bundles of a few muscle fibres were isolated and viewed with Nomarski optics. Two axons, presumably excitatory and inhibitory, branched widely over the surface of individual muscle fibres, forming numerous clusters of boutons or varicosities. 3. Glutamate sensitivity was measured from the slope of the dose-response curves obtained by ionophoretic application of L-glutamate and expressed as mV/nC. The highest sensitivities were about 100 mV/nC, obtained at the edge of synaptic boutons. The sensitivity declined to less than 5% about 2 micrometer away from the synaptic terminal. The time course of glutamate potentials was approximately the same as that of spontaneous synaptic potentials. 4. Glutamate depolarization started within 300 microsec after ionophoretic release of glutamate. This time lag was shorter than the synaptic delay of the nerve-evoked synaptic potential measured with an extracellular micro-electrode. This indicates that glutamate depolarization results from a direct action on the post-synaptic receptor. 5. Application of L-alpha-kainic acid decreased the amplitude of the glutamate potential produced at the synaptic region, whereas kainate increased the amplitude of the glutamate potential at the extrasynaptic region. It is suggested that the pharmacological properties of the extrasynaptic receptor differ from those of the synaptic receptor. Possible mechanisms for the different actions of kainate are discussed.

Differential effects of diltiazem on glutamate potentials and excitatory junctional potentials at the crayfish neuromuscular junction

1. The effects of diltiazem on glutamate potentials and excitatory junctional potentials (e.j.p.s) were investigated in the crayfish neuromuscular junction. 2. When diltiazem (0.3 mM) was added to the perfusion fluid, the ionophoretic glutamate potential was reduced to about half, whereas the peak amplitude of successive e.j.p.s elicited by a train of pulses of 100/sec increased by about 2 times. 3. It was suggested that diltiazem was a non-competitive inhibitor of L-glutamate. The reduction of the response to applied glutamate was not due to the acceleration of desensitization of the glutamate receptor. The rate of recovery from desensitization was delayzed by diltiazem. 4. The increase in amplitude of e.j.p.s caused by diltiazem was due to the increase in membrane resistance. The quantum content and size of extracellular e.j.p.s were not affected by diltiazem. 5. It was substantiated using the micro-electrode technique that the glutamate sensitive area coincided with the neuromuscular junctional area. 6. The pharmacological difference between glutamate potentials and e.j.p.s revealed in the present study is difficult to explain on the glutamate transmitter hypothesis. One explanation worthy to be considered is that there are two pharmacologically different kinds of receptors sensitive to L-glutamate.

Voltage clamp study of fast excitatory synaptic currents in bullfrog sympathetic ganglion cells

Excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) have been studied in voltage-clamped bullfrog sympathetic ganglion B cells. The EPSC was small, rose to a peak within 1-3 ms, and then decayed exponentially over most of its time-course. For 36 cells at --50 mV (21-23 degrees C), peak EPSC size was --6.5 +/- 3.5 nA (mean +/- SD), and the mean decay time constant tau was 5.3 +/- 0.9 ms. tau showed a small negative voltage dependence, which appeared independent of temperature, over the range --90 to --30 mV; the coefficient of voltage dependence was --0.0039 +/-0.0014 mV-1 (n = 29). The peak current-voltage relationship was linear between --120 and --30 mV but often deviated from linearity at more positive potentials. The reversal potential determined by interpolation was approximately --5 mV. EPSC decay tau had a Q10 = 3. The commonly used cholinesterase inhibitors, neostigmine and physostigmine, exhibited complex actions at the ganglia. Neostigmine (1 X 10(-5)M) produced a time-dependent slowing of EPSC decay without consistent change in EPSC size. In addition, the decay phase often deviated from a single exponential function, although it retained its negative voltage dependence. With 1 x 10(-6) M physostigmine, EPSC decay was slowed by the decay phase remained exponential. At higher concentrations of physostigmine, EPSC decay was markedly prolonged and was composed of at least two decay components. High concentrations of atropine (10(-5) to 10(-4) M) produced complex alterations in EPSC decay, creating two or more exponential components; one decay component was faster and the other was slower than that observed in untreated cells. These results suggest that the time-course of ganglionic EPSC decay is primarily determined by the kinetics of the receptor-channel complex rather than hydrolysis or diffusion of transmitter away from the postsynaptic receptors.

Interaction of permeant ions with channels activated by acetylcholine in Aplysia neurones

1. Aplysia neurones with an excitatory response to acetylcholine (ACh) were voltage-clamped, and the ACh-induced currents were studied using noise and relaxation techniques. The mean channel open time, tau, and the amplitude of the elementary current, iel, were determined from these experiments, and the variation of these parameters with the ionic content of the extracellular solution was analysed. The goal of this work was to test whether permeant ions may bind in a voltage-dependent manner to channel sites and thereby hinder channel closing, as has been proposed before (Ascher, Marty & Neild, 1978a). 2. The relation between tau and the membrane potential V has a similar shape in normal sea water and after total replacement of Na ions with Li or Cs. In contrast, the shape of the tau(V) relation is modified if Na is replaced by Mg, Sr, or Ba. 3. Replacing the divalent cations (Mg and Ca) present in normal sea water with Na results in a decrease of tau and an increase of iel. Both effects are enhanced by cell hyperpolarization. 4. Similarly partial replacement of Na by Sr causes a voltage-dependent decrease of iel. 5. Experiments were performed in solutions containing Na and sucrose, or Mg and mannitol. In both cases tau was smaller than in an isotonic Na or Mg solution. 6. None of the above observations can be accounted for on the sole basis of outer surface potential changes. 7. A quantitative model of the interaction between permeant ions and ACh-sensitive channels is proposed. The possible relevance of this model for the interpretation of tau(V) curves in other systems is discussed.

Spontaneous junctional currents in Drosophila muscle fibres: effects of temperature, membrane potential and ethanol

Fast, slow and fast multiquantal spontaneous junctional currents were recorded from glutamate sensitive muscle fibres of Drosophila larvae. Decrease of temperature and hyperpolarization prolonged the time course of fast currents. Ethanol (0.4 M) markedly shortened their duration, whereas several other drugs known to modify the time course of currents at cholinergic synapses were ineffective at this neuromuscular junction.

Characteristics of fast excitatory postsynaptic current in bullfrog sympathetic ganglion cells. Effects of membrane potential, temperature and Ca ions

The membrane current underlying the fast excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSC) of bullfrog sympathetic ganglion cells was studied. The relationship between the EPSC amplitude and membrane potential was linear at negative levels of membrane potential, but deviated from the linearity toward a smaller amplitude at positive levels. The falling phase of EPSC almost followed a single exponential decay. The half-decay time (HDT) of EPSC's increased exponentially with an increase in the negativity of membrane potential. The rise time (RT) was also prolonged slightly with membrane hyperpolarization. Lowering of temperature decreased the EPSC amplitude, lengthened markedly the HDT and increased the slope relating the logarithm of the HDT to membrane potential. Neostigmine (1 x 10(-5) M) prolonged both the RT and HDT. A decrease in Ca2+ concentration caused a marked reduction in the EPSC amplitude, and a slight shortening in the RT and HDT. An increase in Ca2+ concentration significantly prolonged the RT and HDT without altering the slope of the relationship between the HDT and membrane potential, while the amplitude of EPSC was increased slightly. The HDT was independent of EPSC amplitude. It is suggested that the mechanism responsible for closing the ion channels of the nicotinic receptor at the subsynaptic membrane is regulated by membrane potential. The possible mechanisms of the action of Ca2+ on the decay phase of EPSC were discussed.

An analysis of the inhibitory post-synaptic current in the voltage-clamped crayfish muscle

1. Inhibitory post-synaptic currents (i.p.c.s) were recorded from the feed-back current through a wire electrode inserted longitudinally into the opener muscle fibre of the claw in the crayfish (Cambarus clarkii). 2. I.p.s.c. rose to its peak in about 3-4 msec and decayed approximately exponentially. The decay time constant at -100 mV was 9.4 msec. 3. The decay time constant decreased as the membrane was hyperpolarized and increased during depolarization. The time constant (tau) depends on voltage (V) according to the relation tau = a exp (AV), with a = 18.6 msec and A = 0.0065 mV-1. Voltage dependence was opposite in direction to that seen at frog end-plates, but in the same direction as that of e.p.s.c. in crayfish muscle. 4. At lower temperatures, the rise and fall times of i.p.s.c.s were prolonged. Q10 for the decay time constant was 2.4 between 22.6 and 12.5 degrees C. 5. When pH was decreased from 7.2 to 5.5, the decay time constant increased by about 50%, with little change in the voltage dependence of the time course. 6. When chloride in the solution was changed to iodide, the decay time constant was increased by a factor of 3, while voltage dependence of the time course was not changed. In bromide solution the decay time constant increased by about 50%. 7. Peak amplitudes of i.p.s.c.s were approximately linear as the membrane was depolarized, but they levelled off as the membrane was hyperpolarized beyond reversal potential. The non-linear I-V relation did not result from inadequate voltage clamping, nor from a change in the inside concentration of chloride. After equilibration with iodide solution the I-V relation was approximately linear. 8. The decay time constant was increased after repetitive nerve stimulation. This prolongation became more pronounced at lower temperatures. 9. The kinetic process of the transmitter action is discussed. It is suggested that the rate limiting process for i.p.s.c. is binding and unbinding of the transmitter to the receptor.