Analysis of the kinetics and voltage-dependency of transient and delayed K+ currents in muscle fibers isolated from the flatworm Schistosoma mansoni

Comp Biochem Physiol A Physiol. 1995 May;111(1):79-87. doi: 10.1016/0300-9629(95)98523-j.

Abstract

There are two distinct voltage-dependent K+ currents in muscle fibers freshly isolated from the human flatworm parasite S. mansoni. Present is a delayed rectifier current with a tau act of 17 msec and tau inact > 3 sec. The delayed rectifier is very resistant to steady-state inactivation, with over 40% of the current non-inactivating, and over 15 sec required for the maximum inactivation of the other portion. The current is resistant to block by extracellular tetraethylammonium, is half-blocked by 10 mM 4-aminopyridine, and is insensitive to dendrotoxin. Also present is an "A" current with tau act < 1 msec and tau inact < 15 msec. The "A" current, like the delayed rectifier current, is resistant to block by external tetraethylammonium and is insensitive to dendrotoxin. Three micromoles of 4-aminopyridine produce a half-blockade of the "A" current. These two K+ currents are very similar to a delayed rectifier and "A" currents that have been described in a number of lower and more advanced animals.

MeSH terms

  • 4-Aminopyridine / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Calcium / physiology
  • Elapid Venoms / pharmacology
  • Electric Conductivity
  • Electrophysiology
  • Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / physiology*
  • Patch-Clamp Techniques
  • Potassium Channels / physiology*
  • Schistosoma mansoni / anatomy & histology*
  • Schistosoma mansoni / physiology*
  • Tetraethylammonium
  • Tetraethylammonium Compounds / pharmacology

Substances

  • Elapid Venoms
  • Potassium Channels
  • Tetraethylammonium Compounds
  • Tetraethylammonium
  • dendrotoxin
  • 4-Aminopyridine
  • Calcium