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. 1993 Jan;101(1):81–88. doi: 10.1104/pp.101.1.81

Whole-Cell K+ Currents across the Plasma Membrane of Tobacco Protoplasts from Cell-Suspension Cultures.

B Van Duijn 1, D L Ypey 1, K R Libbenga 1
PMCID: PMC158650  PMID: 12231668

Abstract

The whole-cell configuration of the patch clamp technique was used to study both outward and inward ion currents across the plasma membrane of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) protoplasts from cell-suspension cultures. The ion currents across the plasma membrane were analyzed by the application of stepwise potential changes from a holding potential or voltage ramps. In all protoplasts, a voltage- and time-dependent outward rectifying current was present. The conductance increased upon depolarization of the membrane potential (to >0 mV) with a sigmoidal time course. The reversal potential of the outward current shifted in the direction of the K+ equilibrium potential upon changing the external K+ concentration. The outward current did not show inactivation. In addition to the outward rectifying current, in about 30% of the protoplasts, a time- and voltage-dependent inward rectifying current was present as well. The inward rectifying current activated upon hyperpolarization of the membrane potential (<-100 mV) with an exponential time course. The reversal potential of the inward conductance under different ionic conditions was close to the K+ equilibrium potential.

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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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