• Journal of Plant Biology
• /
• v.36 no.4
• /
• pp.383-389
• /
• 1993

The effects of light and $CO_2$ on the electrophysiological characteristics of guard cells in the intact leaf and in the detached epidermis have been investigated. Guard cells in intact leaves showed the membrane hyperpolarization in response to light. The biggest induced change of the membrane potential difference (PD) in the guard cells of the intact leaf was 13 m V by light and 42 mV by $CO_2$ in Commelina communis. Similar results were obtained with Tradescantia virginiana. However, there were no changes of membrane PD in detached epidermis. In order to determine the influence of the mesophyll on the changes of membrane PD, infiltration of the mesophyll cells with photosynthetic inhibitors was performed. In CCCP infiltrated leaf discs the guard cell membrane was depolarized slightly by red-light and hyperpolarized by $CO_2$, but in leaf discs infiltrated with DCCD and DCMU the guard cell membrane was hyperpolrized by both red-light and $CO_2$ as the control leaf discs. In azide infiltrated leaf discs the guard cell membrane showed no response to light and there was a much reduced membrane hyperpolarization by $CO_2$ compared to other responses. It was likely that azide caused leaf damage and the activity of cell metabolism was decreased greatly, resulting in small membrane PD changes by $CO_2$ and no changes by redlight. Therefore, it can be suggested that red light was sensed by the mesophyll and the light induced guard cell membrane hyperpolarization was related to energy produced by cyclic-photophosphorylation, but ${CO_2}-induced$ guard cell membrane hyperpolarization was not related to photosynthesis. Alkalisation of the vacuole was observed when the intact leaf was exposed to $CO_2$, indicating that membrane hyperpolarization was mainly the result of proton efflux.efflux.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.28 no.5
• /
• pp.382-386
• /
• 1995

One of the reaction pathways in light-invoked signal transduction can be initiated through ion fluxes across the plasma membrane in higher plants. We isolated protoplasts from oat coleoptile and examined the effects of light on the membrane potential using a membrane potential-sensitive fluorescent probe (bisoxonol). Both red and far-red light initially induced a hyperpolarization in oat cells. Red light-induced hyperpolarization was effectively dissipated by 100 mM $K^+$, but the hyperpolarization induced by far-red light was not depolarized by any of the cations ($K^+$, $Ca^{2+}$, $Li^+$, $Na^+$) tested. The depolarization induced by red light and $K^+$ was inhibited by 200 mM TEA, which is a $K^+$ channel blocker. These results suggest that $K^+$ influx through the inward $K^+$ channel may be a depolarization path in the phytochrome-mediated signal transduction.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
• /
• v.40 no.4
• /
• pp.211-216
• /
• 2015

Nitric Oxide (NO) is an important signaling molecule in the nociceptive process. Our previous study suggested that high concentrations of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a NO donor, induce a membrane hyperpolarization and outward current through large conductances calcium-activated potassium ($BK_{ca}$) channels in substantia gelatinosa (SG) neurons. In this study, patch clamp recording in spinal slices was used to investigate the sources of $Ca^{2+}$ that induces $Ca^{2+}$-activated potassium currents. Application of SNP induced a membrane hyperpolarization, which was significantly inhibited by hemoglobin and 2-(4-carboxyphenyl) -4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide potassium salt (c-PTIO), NO scavengers. SNP-induced hyperpolarization was decreased in the presence of charybdotoxin, a selective $BK_{Ca}$ channel blocker. In addition, SNP-induced response was significantly blocked by pretreatment of thapsigargin which can remove $Ca^{2+}$ in endoplasmic reticulum, and decreased by pretreatment of dentrolene, a ryanodine receptors (RyR) blocker. These data suggested that NO induces a membrane hyperpolarization through $BK_{ca}$ channels, which are activated by intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ increase via activation of RyR of $Ca^{2+}$ stores.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.245-251
• /
• 1989

In order to manifest the presence of Na-K pump and its property on the unfertilized egg membranes of mouse, membrane potential was recorded under the physiological condition (at $37^{\circ}C$ and 4mM $Ca^{2+}$). After an induction of superovulation, the fresh eggs with zona pellucida were collected from mouse oviduct. Transient hyperpolarization as pump action was recorded after the switch into the high potassium perfusate (15mM $K^+$) from K-free perfusate, and the difference between membrane potential observed just before the perfusion of high potassium solution and the maximal membrane potenlial during the perfusion of high potassium solution was regard as pump activities. The results observed were as follows, 1. Resting mombrane potential was depolarized under the treatment of $10^{-5}M$ ouabain. 2. Pump activities of the unfertilized mouse eggs were $-3.38{\pm}0.61mV$ ($Mean{\pm}SD$, n=6), recorded as transient hyperpolarization due to the electrogenic property. 3. Pump activities were blocked by both treatment of $10^{-5}M$ ouabain and perfusion of Nafree solution, while increased by high $Na^+$ (300mM) perfusion ($-7.45{\pm}0.75mV$, n =2). 4. Hyperpolarization due to pump activity was not altered by $Mn^{2+}$. 5. Above results confirm the presence of ouabain-sensitive Na-K pump, which affected the membrane potential directly, on the unfertilized egg membranes of mouse.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.35-42
• /
• 1989

The present study was performed to observe the effects of cations on resting membrane potential and pump activity in the unfertilized eggs of ICR strain mice. After an induction of superovulation, the fresh eggs with zona pellucida were collected and the membrane potentials were recorded. Recordings of membrane potential in this study was obtained from the physiological conditions ($37^{\circ}C$ and 4mM Ca in standard solution), differently from the another reports with unphysiological conditions (room temprature and high Ca in standard solution) for a stable and long-lasting observations. Presented data was obtained within 6 hours after collection from the oviduct. The results observed are as follows, 1) Resting potential of the unfertilized eggs was $-25.8{\pm}3.8mV$ $(Mean{\pm}Se,\;n=31)$. 2) As the K ion concentration was increased, resting membrane potential was depolarized but showed hyperpolarization with $K^{+}$ below 25mM. 3) Alteration of the resting membrane potential for the changes of $Na^{+}$ concentration were hardly observed, while resting potential was hyperpolarized as $Ca^{2+}$ concentration was increased. 4) Pump activity as transient or prolonged hyperpolarization was $-2.29{\pm}0.75mV$ $(Mean{\pm}Se,\;n=16)$, the hyperpolarization was increased in both amplitude and duration under the 10mM $Ca^{2+}$ solution. 5) Hyperpolarization due to pump activity was decreased or disappeared by $5{\times}10^{-5}\;M$ ouabain treatment and could not be observed under the both Na-free and Ca-free solutions. 6) Above results are likely to suggest that the resting potential of the mouse unfertilized eggs is affected to mainly by Ca-dependent K conductance and Na-Ca exchange mechanism and that there is pump activity coupling between $K{+}$, $Na^{+}$ and $Ca^{2+}$.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.13 no.6
• /
• pp.833-840
• /
• 2003

Sperm motility of salmonid fishes is suppressed by external $K^{+}$ and initiated by decrease of $K^{+}$ concentration surrounding the sperm. It was shown that the decrease in external $K^{+}$ concentration induced not only the initiation of sperm motility, but also hyperpolarization of the plasma membrane and synthesis of cAMP in the sperm of rainbow trout, steelhead trout, and masu salmon. Inhibitors of $K^{+}$ channels, especially voltage-dependent $K^{+}$ channels, inhibited these three reactions, and the inhibitions were abolished by subsequent addition of a $K^{+}$ ionophore, valinomycin, suggesting that $K^{+}$ efflux through the $K^{+}$ channel contributes to rapid changes in the membrane potential of sperm and cAMP synthesis, thereby resulting in the initiation of sperm motility of salmonid fishes.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.147-158
• /
• 1991

The effects of noradrenaline on the spontaneous contraction recorded from a strip of mucosa-free antral circular muscle were studied in the guinea-pig stomach, and the changes in slow waves and membrane resistance were analyzed in order to elucidate the mechanism for the excitatory response to noradrenaline. Electrical responses of circular muscle cells were recorded using glass microelectrodes filled with 3 M KCI. Electrotonic potentials were produced to estimate membrane resistance by the partition stimulating method. All experiments were performed in tris-buffered Tyrode solution which was aerated with 100% $O_2$ and kept at $35^{\circ}C$. The results obtained were as follows: 1) The spontaneous contractions were potentiated dose-dependently by the application of noradrenaline. 2) Through the experiments using adrenoceptor-blockers, the strong excitatory effect via $[\alpha}-adrenoceptors$ and the weak inhibitory efffect via ${\beta}-adrenoceptors$ were noted. 3) Noradrenaline produced hyperpolarization of membrane potential, and increases in the amplitude and the maximum rate of rise of slow waves. 4) In the presence of apamin, Ca-dependent K channel blocker, the characteristic hyperpolarization was not developed. However, the excitatory effect of noradrenaline on spontaneous contraction remained. 5) Membrane resistance was reduced during the hyperpolarized state by the application of noradrenaline, and the change of membrane resistance and the hyperpolarized state were completely abolished by apamin. From the above results, following conclusions could be made: Excitatory responses to noradrenaline result from the dominant ${\alpha}-excitatory$, and the weak ${\beta}-inhibitory$ action of noradrenaline. Hyperpolarization of membrane potential by noradrenaline is due to the activation of Ca-dependent K channel.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.37-43
• /
• 2005

Our previous report demonstrated that chick myoblasts are equipped with $Ca^{2+}$-permeable stretchactivated channels and $Ca^{2+}-activated$ potassium channels ($K_{Ca}$), and that hyperpolarization-induced by $K_{Ca}$ channels provides driving force for $Ca^{2+}$ influx through the stretch-activated channels into the cells. Here, we showed that acetylcholine (ACh) also hyperpolarized the membrane of cultured chick myoblasts, suggesting that nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) may be another pathway for $Ca^{2+}$ influx. Under cell-attatched patch configuration, ACh increased the open probability of $K_{Ca}$ channels from 0.007 to 0.055 only when extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ was present. Nicotine, a nAChR agonist, increased the open probability of $K_{Ca}$ channels from 0.008 to 0.023, whereas muscarine failed to do so. Since the activity of $K_{Ca}$ channel is sensitive to intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ level, nAChR seems to be capable of inducing $Ca^{2+}$ influx. Using the $Ca^{2+}$ imaging analysis, we were able to provide direct evidence that ACh induced $Ca^{2+}$ influx from extracellular solution, which was dramatically increased by valinomycin-mediated hyperpolarization. In addition, ACh hyperpolarized the membrane potential from $-12.5{\pm}3$ to $-31.2{\pm}5$ mV by generating the outward current through $K_{Ca}$ channels. These results suggest that activation of nAChR increases $Ca^{2+}$ influx, which activates $K_{Ca}$ channels, thereby hyperpolarizing the membrane potential in chick myoblasts.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.221-226
• /
• 1995

Dopamine mediates inhibitory responses in Helix aspersa neurons from the right parietal lobe ("F-lobe") of the circumoesophageal ganglia. The effects appeared as a dose-dependent hyperpolarization of the plasma membrane and a decrease in the occurrence of spontaneous action potentials. The average hyperpolarization with 5 ${\mu}m$ dopamine was -12 mV (${\pm}1.5$mV, S.D., n=12). Dopamine also modulated the currents 'responsible for shaping the action potentials in these neurons. When dopamine was added and action potentials were triggered by an injection of current, the initial depolarization was slowed, the amplitude and the duration of action potentials were decreased, and the after-hyperpolarization was more pronounced. The amplitude and the duration of action potential were reduced about 15 mV and about 13% by 5 ${\mu}m$ dopamine, respectively. The effects of dopamine on the resting membrane potentials and the action potentials of Helix neurons were dose-dependent in the concentration range 0.1 ${\mu}m$ to 50 ${\mu}m$. In order to show 1) that the effects of dopamine were mediated by dopamine receptors rather than by direct action on ionic channels and 2) which type of dopamine receptor might be responsible for the various effects, we assayed the ability of mammalian dopamine receptor antagonists, SCH-23390 (antagonist of D1 receptor) and spiperone (antagonist of D2 receptor), to block the dopamine-dependent changes. The D1 and D2 antagonists partially inhibited the dopamine-dependent hyperpolarization and the decrease in action potential amplitude. They both completely blocked the decrease in action potential duration and the increase in action potential after-hyperpolarization. The dopamine-induced slowdown of the depolarization in the initial phase of the action potentials was less effected by SCH-23390 and spiperone. From the results we suggest 1) that Helix F-lobe neurons may have a single type of dopamine receptor that binds both SCH-23390 and spiperone and 2) that the dopamine receptor of Helix F-lobe neurons may be homologous with and primitive to the family of mammalian dopamine receptors.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.47-52
• /
• 2003

The prostate gland contains numerous neuroendocrine cells that are believed to influence the function of the prostate gland. Our recent study demonstrated the expression of both ${\alpha}1$- and ${\alpha}2$-ARs, signaling the release of stored $Ca^{2+}$ and the inhibition of N-type $Ca^{2+}$ channels, respectively, in rat prostate neuroendocrine cells (RPNECs). In this study, the effects of NA on the resting membrane potential (RMP) of RPNECs were investigated using a whole-cell patch clamp method. Fresh RPNECs were dissociated from the ventral lobe of rat prostate and identified from its characteristic shape; round or oval shape with dark cytoplasm. Under zero-current clamp conditions with KCl pipette solution, the resting membrane potential (RMP) of RPNECs was between -35 mV and -85 mV. In those RPNECs with relatively hyperpolarized RMP (＜-60 mV), the application of noradrenaline (NA, $1{\mu}M$) depolarized the membrane to around -40 mV. In contrast, the RPNECs with relatively depolarized RMP (＞-45 mV) showed a transient hyperpolarization and subsequent fluctuation at around -40 mV on application of NA. Under voltage clamp conditions (holding voltage, -40 mV) with CsCl pipette solution, NA evoked a slight inward current (＜-20 pA). NA induced a sharp increase of cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ concentration ($[Ca^{2+}]_c$), measured by the fura-2 fluorescence, and the voltage clamp study showed the presence of charybdotoxin-sensitive $Ca^{2+}$-activated $K^+$ currents. In summary, adrenergic stimulation induced either depolarization or hyperpolarization of RPNECs, depending on the initial level of RMP. The inward current evoked by NA and the $Ca^{2+}$-activated $K^+$ current might partly explain the depolarization and hyperpolarization, respectively.