Objective To re-confirm and characterize the biophysical and pharmacological properties of endogenously expressed human acid-sensing ion channel 1a (hASIC1a) current in HEK293 cells with a modified perfusion methods...Objective To re-confirm and characterize the biophysical and pharmacological properties of endogenously expressed human acid-sensing ion channel 1a (hASIC1a) current in HEK293 cells with a modified perfusion methods. Methods With cell floating method, which is separating the cultured cell from coverslip and putting the cell in front of perfusion tubing, whole cell patch clamp technique was used to record hASICla currents evoked by low pH external solution. Results Using cell floating method, the amplitude of hASICla currents activated by pH 5.0 in HEK293 cells is twice as large as that by the conventional method where the cells remain attached to coverslip. The time to reach peak at two different recording conditions is (21±5) ms and (270±25) ms, respectively. Inactivation time constants are (496±23) ms and (2284±120) ms, respectively. The cell floating method significantly increases the amiloride potency of block on hASIC 1 a [IC50 is (3.4± 1.1 ) μmol/L and (2.4± 0.9) μmol/L, respectively]. Both recording methods have similar pH activation ECs0 (6.6±0.6, 6.6±0.7, respectively). Conclusion ASICs channel activation requires fast exchange of extracellular solution with the different pH values. With cell floating method, the presence of hASIC la current was re-confirmed and the biophysical and pharmacological properties of hASIC la channel in HEK293 cells was precisely characterized. This method could be used to study all ASICs and other ligand-gated channels that require fast extracellular solution exchange.展开更多
We used whole-vacuolar patch-clamp recording mode to study the action mechanism of La3+ to Slow Vacuolar (SV) channels for the first time. We recorded SV channel currents of Xinlimei (Raphanus satirus L.) vacuolars. T...We used whole-vacuolar patch-clamp recording mode to study the action mechanism of La3+ to Slow Vacuolar (SV) channels for the first time. We recorded SV channel currents of Xinlimei (Raphanus satirus L.) vacuolars. The minimum activation potentials of voltage-dependent SV channels tied in 25+/-5 mV. The increase in cytoplasmic Ca2+ led to enhancement of SV-type currents. It was found that the threshold potential of activation shifted towards more depolarized values whenever cytoplasmic Ca2+ was increased. When 10(-10) mol/L free La3+ was added to the bath, SV-type current was suppressed by 60 similar to 75%. These data showed La3+ reduced ion permeabilities of Xinlimei root vacuolar membrane.展开更多
Cardiac hypertrophy is an independent risk factor for sudden cardiac death in clinical settings and the incidence of sudden cardiac death and ventricular arrhythmias are closely related.The aim of this study was to de...Cardiac hypertrophy is an independent risk factor for sudden cardiac death in clinical settings and the incidence of sudden cardiac death and ventricular arrhythmias are closely related.The aim of this study was to determine the effects of the calmodulin-dependent protein kinase(CaMK) Ⅱ inhibitor,KN-93,on L-type calcium current(I Ca,L) and early after-depolarizations(EADs) in hypertrophic cardiomyocytes.A rabbit model of myocardial hypertrophy was constructed through abdominal aortic coarctation(LVH group).The control group(sham group) received a sham operation,in which the abdominal aortic was dissected but not coarcted.Eight weeks later,the degree of left ventricular hypertrophy(LVH) was evaluated using echocardiography.Individual cardiomyocyte was isolated through collagenase digestion.Action potentials(APs) and I Ca,L were recorded using the perforated patch clamp technique.APs were recorded under current clamp conditions and I Ca,L was recorded under voltage clamp conditions.The incidence of EADs and I ca,L in the hypertrophic cardiomyocytes were observed under the conditions of low potassium(2 mmol/L),low magnesium(0.25 mmol/L) Tyrode’s solution perfusion,and slow frequency(0.25-0.5 Hz) electrical stimulation.The incidence of EADs and I ca,L in the hypertrophic cardiomyocytes were also evaluated after treatment with different concentrations of KN-92(KN-92 group) and KN-93(KN-93 group).Eight weeks later,the model was successfully established.Under the conditions of low potassium,low magnesium Tyrode’s solution perfusion,and slow frequency electrical stimulation,the incidence of EADs was 0/12,11/12,10/12,and 5/12 in sham group,LVH group,KN-92 group(0.5 μmol/L),and KN-93 group(0.5 μmol/L),respectively.When the drug concentration was increased to 1 μmol/L in KN-92 group and KN-93 group,the incidence of EADs was 10/12 and 2/12,respectively.At 0 mV,the current density was 6.7±1.0 and 6.3±0.7 PA·PF-1 in LVH group and sham group,respectively(P>0.05,n=12).When the drug concentration was 0.5 μmol/L in KN-92 and KN-93 groups,the peak I Ca,L at 0 mV was decreased by(9.4±2.8)% and(10.5±3.0)% in the hypertrophic cardiomyocytes of the two groups,respectively(P>0.05,n=12).When the drug concentration was increased to 1 μmol/L,the peak I Ca,L values were lowered by(13.4±3.7)% and(40±4.9)%,respectively(P<0.01,n=12).KN-93,a specific inhibitor of CaMKII,can effectively inhibit the occurrence of EADs in hypertrophic cardiomyocytes partially by suppressing I Ca,L,which may be the main action mechanism of KN-93 antagonizing the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias in hypertrophic myocardium.展开更多
Using whole-cell patch-clamp recordings, the effects of antigliomatin were observed on chloride channels on C6 glioma cells cultured in vitro. Antigliomatin was extracted from the venom of the scorpion Buthus martensi...Using whole-cell patch-clamp recordings, the effects of antigliomatin were observed on chloride channels on C6 glioma cells cultured in vitro. Antigliomatin was extracted from the venom of the scorpion Buthus martensii Karsch. Chloride channels are closed under normal osmotic pressure. When osmotic pressure was reduced to 120, 110 and 100 mV, the cell volume enlarged, chloride channels opened, and the chloride channel current increased. Three minutes after antigliomatin treatment, the chloride channel current decreased in a dose-dependent manner. These results show that antigliomatin extracted from the venom of the scorpion Buthus martensii Karsch diminishes chloride channel currents on C6 glioma cells.展开更多
The ventral tegmental area dopamine (DA VTA) neurons have the spontaneous tonic activity and an alteration of firing pattern from tonic to burst accelerates dopamine transmission more effectively in the mesoaccumbal d...The ventral tegmental area dopamine (DA VTA) neurons have the spontaneous tonic activity and an alteration of firing pattern from tonic to burst accelerates dopamine transmission more effectively in the mesoaccumbal dopaminergic system, leading to the reinforcing process of drugs of abuse such as alcohol and nicotine. In the present study, we examined whether a persistent Na+ current would contribute to burst firing in DA VTA neuronsusing nystatin-perforated recording. Tetrodotoxin (TTX) (1 μM) or riluzole (10 μM) hyperpolarized the membrane potential and stopped spontaneous firing of DA VTA neurons. In voltage-clamp analysis, a TTX and riluzole-sensitive and persistent Na+ current was activated at ?60 mV and reached maximal amplitude at ?40 mV. This persistent Na+ current was potentiated by a negative shift of the voltage of activation by eliminating Ca2+ from the extracellular solution. The Ca2+-free extracellular solution depolarized the membrane potential and increased the firing frequency of DA VTA neurons. When a continuous hyperpolarizing current was injected, the firing pattern of the DA VTA neurons transformed into burst-like firing;with average spike number of 4.9, average inter-spike interval of 221 ms, and an average plateau potential, on which the train of spikes generated, was 11 mV. The burst-like firing of DA VTA neurons was abolished by 10 μM riluzole. The concurrent blockade of both T-type Ca2+ current and small conductance Ca2+-activated K+(SK) currents by 100 μM nickel did not induce burst-like firing with or without continuous hyperpolarizing current injection in DA VTA neurons. In conclusion, increases in a persistent Na+ current that mediates a depolarizing driving force by removing extracellular Ca2+ contributes to burst-like firing in DA VTA neurons.展开更多
Sodium intake is important to maintain proper osmolarity and volume of extracellular fluid in vertebrates. The ability to find sources of sodium ions for managing electrolyte homeostasis relies on the activity of the ...Sodium intake is important to maintain proper osmolarity and volume of extracellular fluid in vertebrates. The ability to find sources of sodium ions for managing electrolyte homeostasis relies on the activity of the taste system to sense salt. Several studies have been performed to understand the mechanisms underlying Na+ reception in taste cells, the peripheral detectors for food chemicals. It is now generally accepted that Na+ interacts with specific ion channels in taste cell membrane, called sodium receptors. As ion channels, these proteins mediate transmembrane ion fluxes (that is, electrical currents) during their operation. Thus, a lot of information on the functional properties of sodium receptors has been obtained by using electrophysiological techniques. Here, I review our current knowledge on the biophysical and physiological features of these receptors obtained by applying the patch-clamp recording techniques to single taste cells.展开更多
Ventral tegmental area dopamine (DA VTA) neurons are important for the reinforcing effects of drugs of abuse such as ethanol and nicotine. We have previously shown that M-current (IM) regulates the excitability of DA ...Ventral tegmental area dopamine (DA VTA) neurons are important for the reinforcing effects of drugs of abuse such as ethanol and nicotine. We have previously shown that M-current (IM) regulates the excitability of DA VTA neurons. Zinc (Zn2+) contributes to the regulation of neuronal excitation as a neuromodulator. In the present study, we investigated zinc effect on the properties of IM and the spontaneous firing frequency of DA VTA neurons. The standard deactivation protocol was used to measure IM during voltage-clamp recording with a hyperpolarizing voltage step to ﹣40 mV from a holding potential (VH) of ﹣25 mV. Zn2+ (100 μM) inhibited IM amplitude and IM recovered completely from the inhibition after the washout of Zn2+. Zn2+ inhibited IM in a concentration-dependent manner (IC50: 5.8 μM). When hyperpolarizing voltage steps were given to ﹣65 mV (in 10 mV increments) from a VH of ﹣25 mV, Zn2+ (100 μM) reduced IM amplitude at each voltage and zinc inhibition of IM was not voltage-dependent. Zn2+ increased the spontaneous firing frequency of DA VTA neurons in a concentration-dependent manner, suggesting that Zn2+ causes excitation of DA VTA neurons through an action on IM. IM of DA VTA neurons was inhibited by 100 μM divalent cations in increasing order of potency: Ba2+ (16%) 2+ (25%) 2+ (40%) 2+ (59%) 2+ (67%). These results suggest that Zn2+ may exert physiologically significant regulation of neuronal excitability in DA VTA neurons.展开更多
Patch-clamp recording requires direct accessibility of the cell membrane to patch pipettes and allows the investigation of ion channel properties and functions in specific cellular compartments.The cell body and relat...Patch-clamp recording requires direct accessibility of the cell membrane to patch pipettes and allows the investigation of ion channel properties and functions in specific cellular compartments.The cell body and relatively thick dendrites are the most accessible compartments of a neuron,due to their large diameters and therefore great membrane surface areas.However,axons are normally inaccessible to patch pipettes because of their thin structure;thus studies of axon physiology have long been hampered by the lack of axon recording methods.Recently,a new method of patchclamp recording has been developed,enabling direct and tight-seal recording from cortical axons.These recordings are performed at the enlarged structure(axonal bleb) formed at the cut end of an axon after slicing procedures.This method has facilitated studies of the mechanisms underlying the generation and propagation of the main output signal,the action potential,and led to the finding that cortical neurons communicate not only in action potential-mediated digital mode but also in membrane potential-dependent analog mode.展开更多
We have studied transmembrane La3+ movement in rat ventricular myocytes for the first time by using the whole-cell patch-clamp recording mode. La3+ (0.01-5.0 mmol/L) could not bring out inward currents through the L-t...We have studied transmembrane La3+ movement in rat ventricular myocytes for the first time by using the whole-cell patch-clamp recording mode. La3+ (0.01-5.0 mmol/L) could not bring out inward currents through the L-type calcium channel in rat ventricular myocytes, while it could enter the cells by the same way carried by 1μmo1/L ionomycin. When the outward Na+ concentration gradient is formed, La3+ can enter the cells via Na-Ca exchange, and the exchange currents increase with the increase of external La3+ concentrations. But compared with Na-Ca exchange currents in the same concentration, the former is only 14%-38% of the latter. The patch-clamp experiment indicates that La3+ normally can not enter ventricular myocytes through L-type calcium channel, but it can enter the cells via Na-Ca exchange.展开更多
The effects of BaCl_2 on slow vacuolar (SV) currents of radish are studied byusing the whole-vacuolar patch-clamp recording mode. The Ca^(2+)-dependent SV channel can beactivated by cytosolic Ca^(2+). When 1 mmol/L Ba...The effects of BaCl_2 on slow vacuolar (SV) currents of radish are studied byusing the whole-vacuolar patch-clamp recording mode. The Ca^(2+)-dependent SV channel can beactivated by cytosolic Ca^(2+). When 1 mmol/L BaCI_2 is added into pipette solution, SV currents aresuppressed remarkably. Then adding BaCI_2 of different concentrations into the bath solution, SVcurrents reflect different effects. The results show that BaCl_2 with a lower concentration (< 3mmol/L) promotes the channel currents and the currents are saturated when BaCl_2 concentrations arebetween 1 μmol/L and 1 mmol/L, but BaCl_2 with higher concentration (≥ 3 mmol/L) inhibits SVcurrents.展开更多
文摘Objective To re-confirm and characterize the biophysical and pharmacological properties of endogenously expressed human acid-sensing ion channel 1a (hASIC1a) current in HEK293 cells with a modified perfusion methods. Methods With cell floating method, which is separating the cultured cell from coverslip and putting the cell in front of perfusion tubing, whole cell patch clamp technique was used to record hASICla currents evoked by low pH external solution. Results Using cell floating method, the amplitude of hASICla currents activated by pH 5.0 in HEK293 cells is twice as large as that by the conventional method where the cells remain attached to coverslip. The time to reach peak at two different recording conditions is (21±5) ms and (270±25) ms, respectively. Inactivation time constants are (496±23) ms and (2284±120) ms, respectively. The cell floating method significantly increases the amiloride potency of block on hASIC 1 a [IC50 is (3.4± 1.1 ) μmol/L and (2.4± 0.9) μmol/L, respectively]. Both recording methods have similar pH activation ECs0 (6.6±0.6, 6.6±0.7, respectively). Conclusion ASICs channel activation requires fast exchange of extracellular solution with the different pH values. With cell floating method, the presence of hASIC la current was re-confirmed and the biophysical and pharmacological properties of hASIC la channel in HEK293 cells was precisely characterized. This method could be used to study all ASICs and other ligand-gated channels that require fast extracellular solution exchange.
基金The authors acknowledge the support of the National Natural Science Foundation of ChinaProvincial Natural Science Foundation of Shanxi.
文摘We used whole-vacuolar patch-clamp recording mode to study the action mechanism of La3+ to Slow Vacuolar (SV) channels for the first time. We recorded SV channel currents of Xinlimei (Raphanus satirus L.) vacuolars. The minimum activation potentials of voltage-dependent SV channels tied in 25+/-5 mV. The increase in cytoplasmic Ca2+ led to enhancement of SV-type currents. It was found that the threshold potential of activation shifted towards more depolarized values whenever cytoplasmic Ca2+ was increased. When 10(-10) mol/L free La3+ was added to the bath, SV-type current was suppressed by 60 similar to 75%. These data showed La3+ reduced ion permeabilities of Xinlimei root vacuolar membrane.
基金supported by grants from the Fujian Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 2008J0075)the Fujian Provincial Science and Technology Project of China(No. 2010Y0011)
文摘Cardiac hypertrophy is an independent risk factor for sudden cardiac death in clinical settings and the incidence of sudden cardiac death and ventricular arrhythmias are closely related.The aim of this study was to determine the effects of the calmodulin-dependent protein kinase(CaMK) Ⅱ inhibitor,KN-93,on L-type calcium current(I Ca,L) and early after-depolarizations(EADs) in hypertrophic cardiomyocytes.A rabbit model of myocardial hypertrophy was constructed through abdominal aortic coarctation(LVH group).The control group(sham group) received a sham operation,in which the abdominal aortic was dissected but not coarcted.Eight weeks later,the degree of left ventricular hypertrophy(LVH) was evaluated using echocardiography.Individual cardiomyocyte was isolated through collagenase digestion.Action potentials(APs) and I Ca,L were recorded using the perforated patch clamp technique.APs were recorded under current clamp conditions and I Ca,L was recorded under voltage clamp conditions.The incidence of EADs and I ca,L in the hypertrophic cardiomyocytes were observed under the conditions of low potassium(2 mmol/L),low magnesium(0.25 mmol/L) Tyrode’s solution perfusion,and slow frequency(0.25-0.5 Hz) electrical stimulation.The incidence of EADs and I ca,L in the hypertrophic cardiomyocytes were also evaluated after treatment with different concentrations of KN-92(KN-92 group) and KN-93(KN-93 group).Eight weeks later,the model was successfully established.Under the conditions of low potassium,low magnesium Tyrode’s solution perfusion,and slow frequency electrical stimulation,the incidence of EADs was 0/12,11/12,10/12,and 5/12 in sham group,LVH group,KN-92 group(0.5 μmol/L),and KN-93 group(0.5 μmol/L),respectively.When the drug concentration was increased to 1 μmol/L in KN-92 group and KN-93 group,the incidence of EADs was 10/12 and 2/12,respectively.At 0 mV,the current density was 6.7±1.0 and 6.3±0.7 PA·PF-1 in LVH group and sham group,respectively(P>0.05,n=12).When the drug concentration was 0.5 μmol/L in KN-92 and KN-93 groups,the peak I Ca,L at 0 mV was decreased by(9.4±2.8)% and(10.5±3.0)% in the hypertrophic cardiomyocytes of the two groups,respectively(P>0.05,n=12).When the drug concentration was increased to 1 μmol/L,the peak I Ca,L values were lowered by(13.4±3.7)% and(40±4.9)%,respectively(P<0.01,n=12).KN-93,a specific inhibitor of CaMKII,can effectively inhibit the occurrence of EADs in hypertrophic cardiomyocytes partially by suppressing I Ca,L,which may be the main action mechanism of KN-93 antagonizing the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias in hypertrophic myocardium.
基金the Science and Technology Development Program of Jilin Province, No.20050407-6
文摘Using whole-cell patch-clamp recordings, the effects of antigliomatin were observed on chloride channels on C6 glioma cells cultured in vitro. Antigliomatin was extracted from the venom of the scorpion Buthus martensii Karsch. Chloride channels are closed under normal osmotic pressure. When osmotic pressure was reduced to 120, 110 and 100 mV, the cell volume enlarged, chloride channels opened, and the chloride channel current increased. Three minutes after antigliomatin treatment, the chloride channel current decreased in a dose-dependent manner. These results show that antigliomatin extracted from the venom of the scorpion Buthus martensii Karsch diminishes chloride channel currents on C6 glioma cells.
文摘The ventral tegmental area dopamine (DA VTA) neurons have the spontaneous tonic activity and an alteration of firing pattern from tonic to burst accelerates dopamine transmission more effectively in the mesoaccumbal dopaminergic system, leading to the reinforcing process of drugs of abuse such as alcohol and nicotine. In the present study, we examined whether a persistent Na+ current would contribute to burst firing in DA VTA neuronsusing nystatin-perforated recording. Tetrodotoxin (TTX) (1 μM) or riluzole (10 μM) hyperpolarized the membrane potential and stopped spontaneous firing of DA VTA neurons. In voltage-clamp analysis, a TTX and riluzole-sensitive and persistent Na+ current was activated at ?60 mV and reached maximal amplitude at ?40 mV. This persistent Na+ current was potentiated by a negative shift of the voltage of activation by eliminating Ca2+ from the extracellular solution. The Ca2+-free extracellular solution depolarized the membrane potential and increased the firing frequency of DA VTA neurons. When a continuous hyperpolarizing current was injected, the firing pattern of the DA VTA neurons transformed into burst-like firing;with average spike number of 4.9, average inter-spike interval of 221 ms, and an average plateau potential, on which the train of spikes generated, was 11 mV. The burst-like firing of DA VTA neurons was abolished by 10 μM riluzole. The concurrent blockade of both T-type Ca2+ current and small conductance Ca2+-activated K+(SK) currents by 100 μM nickel did not induce burst-like firing with or without continuous hyperpolarizing current injection in DA VTA neurons. In conclusion, increases in a persistent Na+ current that mediates a depolarizing driving force by removing extracellular Ca2+ contributes to burst-like firing in DA VTA neurons.
文摘Sodium intake is important to maintain proper osmolarity and volume of extracellular fluid in vertebrates. The ability to find sources of sodium ions for managing electrolyte homeostasis relies on the activity of the taste system to sense salt. Several studies have been performed to understand the mechanisms underlying Na+ reception in taste cells, the peripheral detectors for food chemicals. It is now generally accepted that Na+ interacts with specific ion channels in taste cell membrane, called sodium receptors. As ion channels, these proteins mediate transmembrane ion fluxes (that is, electrical currents) during their operation. Thus, a lot of information on the functional properties of sodium receptors has been obtained by using electrophysiological techniques. Here, I review our current knowledge on the biophysical and physiological features of these receptors obtained by applying the patch-clamp recording techniques to single taste cells.
文摘Ventral tegmental area dopamine (DA VTA) neurons are important for the reinforcing effects of drugs of abuse such as ethanol and nicotine. We have previously shown that M-current (IM) regulates the excitability of DA VTA neurons. Zinc (Zn2+) contributes to the regulation of neuronal excitation as a neuromodulator. In the present study, we investigated zinc effect on the properties of IM and the spontaneous firing frequency of DA VTA neurons. The standard deactivation protocol was used to measure IM during voltage-clamp recording with a hyperpolarizing voltage step to ﹣40 mV from a holding potential (VH) of ﹣25 mV. Zn2+ (100 μM) inhibited IM amplitude and IM recovered completely from the inhibition after the washout of Zn2+. Zn2+ inhibited IM in a concentration-dependent manner (IC50: 5.8 μM). When hyperpolarizing voltage steps were given to ﹣65 mV (in 10 mV increments) from a VH of ﹣25 mV, Zn2+ (100 μM) reduced IM amplitude at each voltage and zinc inhibition of IM was not voltage-dependent. Zn2+ increased the spontaneous firing frequency of DA VTA neurons in a concentration-dependent manner, suggesting that Zn2+ causes excitation of DA VTA neurons through an action on IM. IM of DA VTA neurons was inhibited by 100 μM divalent cations in increasing order of potency: Ba2+ (16%) 2+ (25%) 2+ (40%) 2+ (59%) 2+ (67%). These results suggest that Zn2+ may exert physiologically significant regulation of neuronal excitability in DA VTA neurons.
基金supported by the 973 Program(2011CBA00400)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31025012)+2 种基金the Shanghai Pujiang Program(07PJ14108)the SA-SIBS Scholarship Program,and by the Hundreds of Talents Program,the Strategic Priority Research Program(XDA01020304)the Knowledge Innovation Project(KSCX2YW-R-102) from the Chinese Academy of Sciences
文摘Patch-clamp recording requires direct accessibility of the cell membrane to patch pipettes and allows the investigation of ion channel properties and functions in specific cellular compartments.The cell body and relatively thick dendrites are the most accessible compartments of a neuron,due to their large diameters and therefore great membrane surface areas.However,axons are normally inaccessible to patch pipettes because of their thin structure;thus studies of axon physiology have long been hampered by the lack of axon recording methods.Recently,a new method of patchclamp recording has been developed,enabling direct and tight-seal recording from cortical axons.These recordings are performed at the enlarged structure(axonal bleb) formed at the cut end of an axon after slicing procedures.This method has facilitated studies of the mechanisms underlying the generation and propagation of the main output signal,the action potential,and led to the finding that cortical neurons communicate not only in action potential-mediated digital mode but also in membrane potential-dependent analog mode.
基金This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 29890280).
文摘We have studied transmembrane La3+ movement in rat ventricular myocytes for the first time by using the whole-cell patch-clamp recording mode. La3+ (0.01-5.0 mmol/L) could not bring out inward currents through the L-type calcium channel in rat ventricular myocytes, while it could enter the cells by the same way carried by 1μmo1/L ionomycin. When the outward Na+ concentration gradient is formed, La3+ can enter the cells via Na-Ca exchange, and the exchange currents increase with the increase of external La3+ concentrations. But compared with Na-Ca exchange currents in the same concentration, the former is only 14%-38% of the latter. The patch-clamp experiment indicates that La3+ normally can not enter ventricular myocytes through L-type calcium channel, but it can enter the cells via Na-Ca exchange.
基金We thank Dr. Pei Zhenming for technique advice on the patch clamp. This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 29890280).
文摘The effects of BaCl_2 on slow vacuolar (SV) currents of radish are studied byusing the whole-vacuolar patch-clamp recording mode. The Ca^(2+)-dependent SV channel can beactivated by cytosolic Ca^(2+). When 1 mmol/L BaCI_2 is added into pipette solution, SV currents aresuppressed remarkably. Then adding BaCI_2 of different concentrations into the bath solution, SVcurrents reflect different effects. The results show that BaCl_2 with a lower concentration (< 3mmol/L) promotes the channel currents and the currents are saturated when BaCl_2 concentrations arebetween 1 μmol/L and 1 mmol/L, but BaCl_2 with higher concentration (≥ 3 mmol/L) inhibits SVcurrents.