Figure 3.

Activation of endogenous MrgD suppresses M-currents and enhances phasic DRG neuron excitability. A, Top depicts the voltage protocol used to monitor M-currents. Sample sweeps during baseline and β-alanine exposure (500 μm) illustrate MrgD-induced suppression of M-currents. For summary data and effects of G-protein signaling inhibitors, see Figure 2 B. The amplitude of M-currents was measured as the difference in mean current indicated by the brackets between the onset (∼10 ms) and end of the hyperpolarizing pulse. B, A consequence of β-alanine exposure is enhanced neuronal excitability reflected as an increase in action potential firing rate.