Journal article
Ionic blockage of the light-regulated sodium channels in isolated rod outer segments
The Journal of general physiology, v 71(6), pp 657-681
01 Jun 1978
PMID: 27574
Abstract
We have investigated, with osmotic techniques, the light-regulated Na+ channels in rod outer segments (ROS) and ROS fragments freshly isolated from the frog retina. Values of Na+ permeability (PNa) similar to those observed electrophysiologically in the retina were observed using the osmotic technique (continuous flow) described by Korenbrot and Cone. In the other osmotic techniques that we explored, PNa was greatly diminished, if not completely suppressed; however, we found with these techniques that antioxidant conditions (N2 atmosphere or EDTA) significantly increased PNa, suggesting that the Na+ channels are highly sensitivive to membrane oxidation. Using the continuous flow technique, we investigated the H+ and Ca++ dependence of the Na+ channels and found that both of these ions, at micromolar activities, can block the channels. Raising the external H+ activity decreases PNa (reversibly) in a single "sigmoidal" response with an apparent pKa of 5.8. Similarly, in the presence of the ionophores X537A or A23187 which allow equilibration of Ca++ across membranes, the Na+ channels are blocked when the external Ca++ activity is increased from 10(-7) to 10(-5) M. This high sensitivity to both H+ and Ca++ ions suggests that high field strength anionic sites may exist in or near the Na+ channels and that the channels are blocked when these sites bind H+ or Ca++ ions.
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Details
- Title
- Ionic blockage of the light-regulated sodium channels in isolated rod outer segments
- Creators
- C M WormingtonR A Cone
- Publication Details
- The Journal of general physiology, v 71(6), pp 657-681
- Number of pages
- 25
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- [Retired Faculty]; Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO)
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:A1978FD61900003
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-0018095061
- Other Identifier
- 991022004202804721