Biomedical subjects

F Zufall

Publications and source records attributed to F Zufall.

41 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1991

Single odor-sensitive channels in olfactory receptor neurons are also gated by cyclic nucleotides.

Olfactory transduction is thought to occur by processes that are mainly restricted to the specialized cilia emanating from the distal end of the receptor neuron's single dendrite. The involvement of a cAMP-based second messenger system seems likely, and a cyclic nucleotide-sensitive current has been recorded in patches of membrane from the cilia. However, the small diameter of the cilia and the high density of channels within the membrane limit the application of the patch recording technique in the cilia. We have found that the cAMP-sensitive channels also exist at a much lower density within the far more accessible dendritic membrane. Recording from on-cell patches, we have observed single-channel activity in response to extracellularly applied odor substances. The channels have a single-channel conductance of 40 pS and a reversal potential near 0 mV. These same channels are activated by treatments that elevate intracellular cyclic nucleotide concentrations. The results provide a direct demonstration that the cyclic nucleotide-gated channel is the conductance pathway for the odor-elicited current.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

PubMed1991

Analysis of single cyclic nucleotide-gated channels in olfactory receptor cells.

In the accompanying article (Firestein et al., 1991b), we have demonstrated that odor- and cyclic nucleotide-sensitive channels exist at a low density in the dendritic membranes of isolated salamander olfactory receptor neurons. Here, we analyze the cyclic nucleotide sensitivity of these channels using the inside-out patch recording technique. Both cAMP and cGMP, at micromolar concentrations, are capable of inducing channel openings. The biophysical parameters of channel activity are nearly the same in response to either ligand. The unitary conductance is about 45 pS, the reversal potential of single-channel currents is +5 mV, and the I/V relation is linear over the range -80 to +80 mV. The channel activity shows no obvious voltage dependence in divalent cation-free symmetrical solutions. The channel shows no desensitization, even to agonist exposures lasting 15 sec. Mean open time is about 1.5 msec; the closed time distribution is best fit by two exponentials with a fast time constant in the submillisecond range (ca. 0.15 msec) and a slower time constant in the millisecond range (ca. 1.5 msec). The only clear difference in the activity of the two ligands is in their affinity constants. The K1/2 for cAMP is 20 microM; that for cGMP is 4 microM. In both cases, the Hill coefficient is greater than 2, suggesting that channel opening requires the cooperative action of three ligand molecules.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Ionic currents of cultured olfactory receptor neurons from antennae of male Manduca sexta.

Whole-cell and single-channel voltage-clamp techniques were used to identify and characterize the ionic currents of insect olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) in vitro. The cells were isolated from the antennae of male Manduca sexta pupae at stages 3-5 of adult development and maintained in primary cell culture. After 2-3 weeks in vitro, the presumptive ORNs had resting potentials of -62 +/- 12 mV (n = 18) and expressed at least 1 type of Na+ channel and at least 3 types of K+ channels. Na+ currents, recorded in the whole-cell mode, were reversibly blocked by 0.1 microM tetrodotoxin. The predominant type of K+ channel observed was a voltage-activated K+ channel (gamma = 30 pS) with characteristics similar to those of the delayed rectifier. The activity of the 30-pS K+ channel could be inhibited by the application of nucleotides to the cytoplasmic face of inside-out patches of membrane. The nucleotides had relative potencies as follows: ATP greater than cGMP greater than cAMP, with an inhibition constant for ATP of Ki = 0.18 mM. Raising the intracellular Ca2+ concentration from 0.1 to 5 microM induced the opening of a Ca2(+)-activated K+ channel (gamma = 66 pS at 0 mV) that had a low voltage sensitivity. A third, transient type of K+ channel (gamma = 12-18 pS) could be activated by depolarizing voltage steps from very negative resting potentials. Properties of this channel were similar to those of the "A-channel." These results support the conclusion that M. sexta ORNs differentiate in vitro and provide the basis for studying primary mechanisms of olfactory transduction.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Similarities between the effects of lindane (gamma-HCH) and picrotoxin on ligand-gated chloride channels in crayfish muscle membrane.

Effects of lindane (gamma-HCH) and picrotoxin have been tested on excised outside-out patches of crayfish stomach muscle membrane. The pulsed application of 10(-3) M gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) elicited an inward CL- current of several 100 pA, which could be reversibly reduced by the simultaneous application of lindane or picrotoxin. The rise time and desensitization time constant of the GABA response did not seem to be affected. The apparent KI was 5 x 10(-6) M for lindane and 15 x 10(-6) M for picrotoxin. Also Cl- currents induced by glutamate or acetylcholine could be reversibly reduced by lindane or picrotoxin. The evaluation of single Cl- channel openings which were elicited by the simultaneous application of glutamate and lindane showed no effect of lindane on the unitary conductance and on the mean open time of these channels. A mechanism for the antagonistic action of lindane and picrotoxin is discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Spectral and polarized light sensitivity of photoreceptors in the compound eye of the cricket (Gryllus bimaculatus).

Retinula cells in the compound eye of the cricket (Gryllus bimaculatus) were recorded intracellularly and stained with Lucifer yellow. Two different methods were used to determine the spectral sensitivity of these cells: a) the spectral scanning method, and b) the conventional flash method. Three spectral types, with S(lambda)-curves close to the rhodopsin-absorption functions, were found with lambda max at 332 nm (UV), 445 nm (blue) and 515 nm (green), respectively. Blue receptors were only recorded in the anatomically specialized dorsal rim area (DRA), and UV and green receptors in the dorsal region of the pigmented part of the eye, whereby green receptors were only found in the ventral eye. On the basis of these results, model calculations are presented for di- and trichromatic colour vision in the cricket. The fluorescence markings revealed green receptors whose axons project with short visual fibres to the lamina, and a UV receptor with a long visual fibre which projects through the lamina to the medulla. The blue receptors send their axons either to the lamina and medulla (long visual fibres) or only to the lamina (short visual fibres). The temporal dynamics of the three receptor types were examined. The blue receptors lack a phasic component of the receptor potential, and the time from stimulus on-set to peak potential is strongly increased compared to the UV and green receptors. Light adaptation reduces the latency to less than half of the dark adapted state. Spectral adaptation experiments revealed an 'unidirectional coupling' between UV and green receptors, and it was found that polarization sensitivity (PS) in blue cells was much higher (PS = 6.5 +/- 1.5) than that of UV (PS = 1.76 +/- 0.05) and green (2.26 +/- 0.57) receptors. The functional aspects of the three receptor types are discussed with respect to the presented physiological and morphological data.

Adaptation, Physiological↗