Skip to main content
PMC home page
Biophysical Journal logoLink to Biophysical Journal
. 1985 Dec;48(6):885–892. doi: 10.1016/S0006-3495(85)83850-9

Comparison of the effects of internal TEA+ and Cs+ on potassium current in squid giant axons.

J R Clay
PMCID: PMC1329420  PMID: 2418889

Abstract

Internal tetraethylammonium (TEA) and cesium ions block outward potassium current in nerve membrane in a voltage-dependent manner. Blockade with Cs+ occurs virtually instantaneously after membrane depolarization, whereas blockade with TEA+ occurs after a delay. The latter result suggested to Armstrong (1966, J. Gen. Physiol., 50:279-293; 1969, J. Gen. Physiol., 54:553-575) that potassium channels must open before TEA+ blockade can occur, which is in contrast to Cs+ blockade, which appears to be independent of channel gating. The results in this study concerning the effect of TEA+ on inward (tail) current argue against the Armstrong model. Specifically, TEA+ (partially) blocks inward current without altering the tail current time constant. This result indicates that TEA+ can occupy its binding site within the channel whether or not the channel gates are open. This alternative hypothesis can describe both the steady-state and time-dependent components of TEA+ blockade.

Full text

PDF
886

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. ARMSTRONG C. M., BINSTOCK L. ANOMALOUS RECTIFICATION IN THE SQUID GIANT AXON INJECTED WITH TETRAETHYLAMMONIUM CHLORIDE. J Gen Physiol. 1965 May;48:859–872. doi: 10.1085/jgp.48.5.859. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Adams D. J., Oxford G. S. Interaction of internal anions with potassium channels of the squid giant axon. J Gen Physiol. 1983 Oct;82(4):429–448. doi: 10.1085/jgp.82.4.429. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Adelman W. J., Jr, Senft J. P. Voltage clamp studies on the effect of internal cesium ion on sodium and potassium currents in the squid giant axon. J Gen Physiol. 1966 Nov;50(2):279–293. doi: 10.1085/jgp.50.2.279. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Armstrong C. M., Hille B. The inner quaternary ammonium ion receptor in potassium channels of the node of Ranvier. J Gen Physiol. 1972 Apr;59(4):388–400. doi: 10.1085/jgp.59.4.388. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Armstrong C. M. Inactivation of the potassium conductance and related phenomena caused by quaternary ammonium ion injection in squid axons. J Gen Physiol. 1969 Nov;54(5):553–575. doi: 10.1085/jgp.54.5.553. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Armstrong C. M. Induced inactivation of the potassium permeability of squid axon membranes. Nature. 1968 Sep 21;219(5160):1262–1263. doi: 10.1038/2191262a0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Armstrong C. M. Interaction of tetraethylammonium ion derivatives with the potassium channels of giant axons. J Gen Physiol. 1971 Oct;58(4):413–437. doi: 10.1085/jgp.58.4.413. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Armstrong C. M. Time course of TEA(+)-induced anomalous rectification in squid giant axons. J Gen Physiol. 1966 Nov;50(2):491–503. doi: 10.1085/jgp.50.2.491. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Bezanilla F., Armstrong C. M. Negative conductance caused by entry of sodium and cesium ions into the potassium channels of squid axons. J Gen Physiol. 1972 Nov;60(5):588–608. doi: 10.1085/jgp.60.5.588. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Blatz A. L., Magleby K. L. Ion conductance and selectivity of single calcium-activated potassium channels in cultured rat muscle. J Gen Physiol. 1984 Jul;84(1):1–23. doi: 10.1085/jgp.84.1.1. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Clay J. R. Potassium channel kinetics in squid axons with elevated levels of external potassium concentration. Biophys J. 1984 Feb;45(2):481–485. doi: 10.1016/S0006-3495(84)84172-7. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Clay J. R., Shlesinger M. F. Analysis of the effects of cesium ions on potassium channel currents in biological membranes. J Theor Biol. 1984 Mar 21;107(2):189–201. doi: 10.1016/s0022-5193(84)80021-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Clay J. R., Shlesinger M. F. Effects of external cesium and rubidium on outward potassium currents in squid axons. Biophys J. 1983 Apr;42(1):43–53. doi: 10.1016/S0006-3495(83)84367-7. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. French R. J., Shoukimas J. J. An ion's view of the potassium channel. The structure of the permeation pathway as sensed by a variety of blocking ions. J Gen Physiol. 1985 May;85(5):669–698. doi: 10.1085/jgp.85.5.669. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. French R. J., Shoukimas J. J. Blockage of squid axon potassium conductance by internal tetra-N-alkylammonium ions of various sizes. Biophys J. 1981 May;34(2):271–291. doi: 10.1016/S0006-3495(81)84849-7. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. French R. J., Wells J. B. Sodium ions as blocking agents and charge carriers in the potassium channel of the squid giant axon. J Gen Physiol. 1977 Dec;70(6):707–724. doi: 10.1085/jgp.70.6.707. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Goldman D. E. POTENTIAL, IMPEDANCE, AND RECTIFICATION IN MEMBRANES. J Gen Physiol. 1943 Sep 20;27(1):37–60. doi: 10.1085/jgp.27.1.37. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. HODGKIN A. L., HUXLEY A. F. A quantitative description of membrane current and its application to conduction and excitation in nerve. J Physiol. 1952 Aug;117(4):500–544. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.1952.sp004764. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. HODGKIN A. L., KATZ B. The effect of sodium ions on the electrical activity of giant axon of the squid. J Physiol. 1949 Mar 1;108(1):37–77. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.1949.sp004310. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. Koppenhöfer E., Vogel W. Wirkung von Tetrodotoxin und Tetraäthylammoniumchlorid an der Innenseite der Schnürringsmembran von Xenopus laevis. Pflugers Arch. 1969;313(4):361–380. doi: 10.1007/BF00593959. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. Swenson R. P., Jr Inactivation of potassium current in squid axon by a variety of quaternary ammonium ions. J Gen Physiol. 1981 Mar;77(3):255–271. doi: 10.1085/jgp.77.3.255. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  22. Woodhull A. M. Ionic blockage of sodium channels in nerve. J Gen Physiol. 1973 Jun;61(6):687–708. doi: 10.1085/jgp.61.6.687. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Biophysical Journal are provided here courtesy of The Biophysical Society

RESOURCES