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Caffeine modulates potassium currents in Drosophila neurons
Author(s) -
Alshuaib Waleed B.,
Mathew Mini V.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
international journal of developmental neuroscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.761
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 1873-474X
pISSN - 0736-5748
DOI - 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2006.03.002
Subject(s) - caffeine , potassium , potassium channel , biophysics , patch clamp , chemistry , membrane potential , neuroblast , resting potential , neuroscience , electrophysiology , biology , endocrinology , organic chemistry , neurogenesis
We investigated the effects of caffeine on the delayed‐rectifier potassium current (IK DR ) which is important in repolarizing the membrane potential, and the transient A‐type potassium current (IK A ) which regulates neuronal firing threshold and the rate of repetitive action potentials. The whole‐cell patch‐clamp technique was used to measure the currents from cultured Drosophila neurons derived from embryonic neuroblasts. The currents were measured from neurons before and after the application of 1 mM caffeine to the external saline of the same neuron. IK DR measured in the caffeine‐containing solution (470 ± 36 pA, n = 18), was smaller than that measured in the control 6K/0Ca Tris solution (745 ± 51 pA, n = 18). IK A measured in the caffeine‐containing solution (17 ± 2 pA, n = 16) was smaller than that measured in the control 6K/0Ca Tris solution (35 ± 4 pA, n = 16). These results indicate that caffeine reduces IK DR and IK A amplitudes and possibly leads to increased action potential frequency and enhanced neuronal excitability.