Slow calcium and potassium currents across frog muscle membrane: measurements with a vaseline-gap technique

J Physiol. 1981 Mar:312:159-76. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.1981.sp013622.

Abstract

1. A vaseline-gap voltage-clamp technique was used to record slow Ca2+ and K+ currents from frog skeletal muscle fibres loaded with the Ca2+ chelator EGTA. 2. K+ currents were increased when Mg2+ replaced external Ca2+, and they were abolished when internal K+ was replaced by tetraethylammonium (TEA+). Ca2+ currents could be studied in isolation in fibres loaded with (TEA)2EGTA. 3. Under maintained depolarization, Ca2+ currents slowly increase (half-time of 35 msec or more at 25 mV) and then decline to a steady value. Decline under repolarization is rapid (half-time of 6-7 msec) and complete. During an action potential, the Ca2+ influx through this system is probably less than the influx observed with tracers. 4. Ba2+, Sr2+, Ca2+, Mn2+ and Mg2+ can carry current across the membrane; Ni2+ and Co2+ cannot. Ca2+ currents are weakly blocked by external Mg2+.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Calcium / pharmacology
  • Calcium / physiology*
  • Electric Conductivity
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Ion Channels / physiology
  • Magnesium / pharmacology
  • Membrane Potentials / drug effects
  • Muscles / physiology*
  • Potassium / physiology*
  • Rana temporaria

Substances

  • Ion Channels
  • Magnesium
  • Potassium
  • Calcium