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. 1970 Oct;210(3):681–695. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.1970.sp009235

Modification of transmitter release by ions which prolong the presynaptic action potential

P R Benoit, J Mambrini
PMCID: PMC1395605  PMID: 5499819

Abstract

1. The action of ions which increase the nerve spike duration at Ranvier's node has been studied at the neuromuscular junction of the frog.

The duration of the presynaptic action potential is increased by UO2, Ni, Nz and TEA ions.

2. The release of transmitter after a nerve impulse is delayed and prolonged in the presence of the four ions, but the amount of evoked transmitter release estimated from the mean quantal content of e.p.p. is increased only by UO22+ and TEA. Both Ni2+ and Zn2+ decrease it.

3. The frequency of m.e.p.p.s is increased by UO22+ and decreased by Ni2+ and Zn2+ at KCl-depolarized junctions. It is not affected by TEA.

4. It has been concluded that the increased presynaptic spike duration is responsible for the delayed and prolonged transmitter release in the presence of ions which increase the nerve spike duration at Ranvier's node.

It is demonstrated that some `specific' effects possibly resulting from ionic competition for presynaptic sites between UO22+, Ni2+ or Zn2+ and other ions present in the Ringer may increase, interfere with, or hide the increased transmitter release that may be predicted from the lengthened presynaptic depolarization.

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Selected References

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

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