Figure 1.

Tat increased enteric neuronal excitability. A, Representative traces showing current-clamp recordings of a neuron in the absence and in the presence of 100 nm Tat. Increased neuronal excitability in response to 100 nm Tat is evidenced by an increase in the number of action potentials evoked. Action potentials were initiated after 30 pA current injection in the absence of Tat and 10 pA after continuous perfusion with 100 nm Tat; n = 5. B, Spontaneous action potentials were recorded in 4 neurons after Tat exposure. C, RT-PCR experiments showing that tat gene is expressed in Tat⁺ LMMP and absent in Tat⁻ LMMP. *p < 0.05 (t test). D, Neurons isolated from Tat⁺ transgenic mice were also more excitable than Tat⁻ mice. Gray line indicates response recorded at rheobase.