Sodium channels in central neurons of the tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens: basic properties and modification by scorpion toxins

D Lee; M E. Adams

doi:10.1016/s0022-1910(99)00136-5

Sodium channels in central neurons of the tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens: basic properties and modification by scorpion toxins

J Insect Physiol. 2000 Apr;46(4):499-508. doi: 10.1016/s0022-1910(99)00136-5.

Authors

D Lee¹, M E. Adams

Affiliation

¹ Departments of Entomology and Neuroscience, 5419 Boyce Hall, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA

PMID: 12770214
DOI: 10.1016/s0022-1910(99)00136-5

Abstract

Voltage-activated sodium channels in central neurons of larval and adult Heliothis virescens were characterized using whole-cell patch clamp techniques. Macroscopic currents showing rapid activation and inactivation kinetics were uniformly sensitive to tetrodotoxin (IC(50)=1.9nM). Currents began to activate at voltage steps to -45mV and reached half maximal at -30mV. Fast inactivation was evident at voltages as negative as -75mV and reached half maximal at -50mV. Full recovery from inactivation occurred within 1 to 2ms. Currents in larval neurons exhibited similar properties to those of adult neurons, except for the rate of fast inactivation (t(1)), which was significantly slower in larval neurons. The biophysical properties of sodium channels remained unchanged for up to 3days in culture. Two insecticidal neurotoxins, LqhalphaIT and AaIT, produced distinctly different modifications of H. virescens sodium channels. LqhalphaIT slowed channel inactivation, while AaIT specifically shifted voltage-dependent activation to more negative potentials. Overall, the results indicate that sodium channels in H. virescens neurons exhibit biophysical characteristics similar to those of vertebrates, yet possess pharmacological uniqueness with respect to scorpion toxin modification.