Open AccessFacilitation of Ca2+-channel currents in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells.
Author(s) -
Toshinori Hoshi,
Joan E. Rothlein,
S. J. Smith
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.81.18.5871
Subject(s) - facilitation , chromaffin cell , biophysics , patch clamp , voltage clamp , chemistry , pulse (music) , amplitude , electrophysiology , current (fluid) , membrane potential , voltage , endocrinology , physics , medicine , neuroscience , adrenal medulla , biology , catecholamine , optics , thermodynamics , quantum mechanics
Ca2+-channel currents in primary cultures of bovine adrenal chromaffin cells were studied using the whole-cell patch-clamp method. Parameters of a double-pulse protocol were systematically varied to characterize facilitation by a prepulse (P1) of Ca2+-channel current during a test pulse (P2). The pulses were usually separated by 30 msec, an interval sufficient for decay of any measurable P1 tail currents. The Ca2+-channel current amplitude during P2 increased when P1 voltage was more positive than 0 mV. The effect became progressively greater with more positive P1 voltage. With a 60-msec P1 to +80 mV, the current amplitude typically increased by 25%-35% during a 60-msec P2. Comparison of facilitated and control inward Ca2+-channel current I(V) curves showed that facilitation was also strongly dependent on P2 test voltage. Facilitation of Ca2+-channel currents is a voltage-dependent phenomenon and is not dependent on Ca2+ entry. When short repetitive voltage-clamp pulses were applied, the Ca2+-channel current amplitude increased with each pulse. This suggests that Ca2+-channel facilitation could enhance release of catecholamines from chromaffin cells during a train of action potentials.