Nitric Oxide Activates Leak K+ Currents in the Presumed Cholinergic Neuron of Basal Forebrain

2007 ◽  
Vol 98 (6) ◽  
pp. 3397-3410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Youngnam Kang ◽  
Yoshie Dempo ◽  
Atsuko Ohashi ◽  
Mitsuru Saito ◽  
Hiroki Toyoda ◽  
...  

Learning and memory are critically dependent on basal forebrain cholinergic (BFC) neuron excitability, which is modulated profoundly by leak K+ channels. Many neuromodulators closing leak K+ channels have been reported, whereas their endogenous opener remained unknown. We here demonstrate that nitric oxide (NO) can be the endogenous opener of leak K+ channels in the presumed BFC neurons. Bath application of 1 mM S-nitroso- N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), an NO donor, induced a long-lasting hyperpolarization, which was often interrupted by a transient depolarization. Soluble guanylyl cyclase inhibitors prevented SNAP from inducing hyperpolarization but allowed SNAP to cause depolarization, whereas bath application of 0.2 mM 8-bromoguanosine-3′,5′-cyclomonophosphate (8-Br-cGMP) induced a similar long-lasting hyperpolarization alone. These observations indicate that the SNAP-induced hyperpolarization and depolarization are mediated by the cGMP-dependent and -independent processes, respectively. When examined with the ramp command pulse applied at –70 mV under the voltage-clamp condition, 8-Br-cGMP application induced the outward current that reversed at K+ equilibrium potential ( EK) and displayed Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz rectification, indicating the involvement of voltage-independent K+ current. By contrast, SNAP application in the presumed BFC neurons either dialyzed with the GTP-free internal solution or in the presence of 10 μM Rp-8-bromo-β-phenyl-1,N2-ethenoguanosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphorothioate sodium salt, a protein kinase G (PKG) inhibitor, induced the inward current that reversed at potentials much more negative than EK and close to the reversal potential of Na+-K+ pump current. These observations strongly suggest that NO activates leak K+ channels through cGMP-PKG-dependent pathway to markedly decrease the excitability in BFC neurons, while NO simultaneously causes depolarization by the inhibition of Na+-K+ pump through ATP depletion.

1996 ◽  
Vol 270 (6) ◽  
pp. G932-G938 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Jury ◽  
K. R. Boev ◽  
E. E. Daniel

Single smooth muscle cells from the opossum body circular muscle were isolated and whole cell currents were characterized by the whole cell patch-clamp technique. When the cells were held at -50 mV and depolarized to 70 mV in 20-mV increments, initial small inactivating inward currents were evoked (-30 to 30 mV) followed by larger sustained outward currents. Depolarization from a holding potential of -90 mV evoked an initial fast inactivating outward current sensitive to 4-aminopyridine but not to high levels of ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA). The outward currents reversed near K+ equilibrium potential and were abolished when KCl was replaced by CsCl in the pipette solution. The sustained outward current was inhibited by quinine and cesium. High EGTA in the pipette solution reduced but did not abolish the sustained outward currents, suggesting that both Ca(2+)-dependent and -independent currents were evoked. The nitric oxide (NO)-releasing agents Sin-1 and sodium nitroprusside increased outward K+ currents. High levels of EGTA in the pipette solution abolished the increase in outward current induced by Sin-1. The presence of cyclopiazonic acid, an inhibitor of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ pump, blocked the effects of NO-releasing agents. We conclude that NO release activates K+ outward currents in opossum esophagus circular muscle, which may depend on Ca2+ release from the SR stores.


2007 ◽  
Vol 293 (5) ◽  
pp. L1261-L1270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louis G. Chicoine ◽  
Michael L. Paffett ◽  
Mark R. Girton ◽  
Matthew J. Metropoulus ◽  
Mandar S. Joshi ◽  
...  

Nitric oxide (NO) is an important regulator of vasomotor tone in the pulmonary circulation. We tested the hypothesis that the role NO plays in regulating vascular tone changes during early postnatal development. Isolated, perfused lungs from 7- and 14-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were studied. Baseline total pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) was not different between age groups. The addition of KCl to the perfusate caused a concentration-dependent increase in PVR that did not differ between age groups. However, the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor Nω-nitro-l-arginine augmented the K+-induced increase in PVR in both groups, and the effect was greater in lungs from 14-day-old rats vs. 7-day-old rats. Lung levels of total endothelial, inducible, and neuronal NOS proteins were not different between groups; however, the production rate of exhaled NO was greater in lungs from 14-day-old rats compared with those of 7-day-old rats. Vasodilation to 0.1 μM of the NO donor spermine NONOate was greater in 14-day lungs than in 7-day lungs, and lung levels of both soluble guanylyl cyclase and cGMP were greater at 14 days than at 7 days. Vasodilation to 100 μM of the cGMP analog 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)guanosine-3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate was greater in 7-day lungs than in 14-day lungs. Our results demonstrate that the pulmonary vascular bed depends more on NO production to modulate vascular tone at 14 days than at 7 days of age. The observed differences in NO sensitivity may be due to maturational increases in soluble guanylyl cyclase protein levels.


2011 ◽  
Vol 105 (2) ◽  
pp. 650-660 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Tremblay ◽  
Emmanuelle Berret ◽  
Mélaine Henry ◽  
Benjamin Nehmé ◽  
Louis Nadeau ◽  
...  

Sodium (Na+) ions are of primary importance for hydromineral and cardiovascular homeostasis, and the level of Na+ in the body fluid compartments [plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)] is precisely monitored in the hypothalamus. Glial cells seem to play a critical role in the mechanism of Na+ detection. However, the precise role of neurons in the detection of extracellular Na+ concentration ([Na+]out) remains unclear. Here we demonstrate that neurons of the median preoptic nucleus (MnPO), a structure in close contact with the CSF, are specific Na+ sensors. Electrophysiological recordings were performed on dissociated rat MnPO neurons under isotonic [Na+] (100 mM NaCl) with local application of hypernatriuric (150, 180 mM NaCl) or hyponatriuric (50 mM NaCl) external solution. The hyper- and hyponatriuric conditions triggered an in- and an outward current, respectively. The reversal potential of the current matched the equilibrium potential of Na+, indicating that a change in [Na+]out modified the influx of Na+ in the MnPO neurons. The conductance of the Na+ current was not affected by either the membrane potential or the [Na+]out. Moreover, the channel was highly selective for lithium over guanidinium. Together, these data identified the channel as a Na+ leak channel. A high correlation between the electrophysiological recordings and immunofluorescent labeling for the NaX channel in dissociated MnPO neurons strongly supports this channel as a candidate for the Na+ leak channel responsible for the Na+-sensing ability of rat MnPO neurons. The absence of NaX labeling and of a specific current evoked by a change in [Na+]out in mouse MnPO neurons suggests species specificity in the hypothalamus structures participating in central Na+ detection.


1991 ◽  
Vol 260 (5) ◽  
pp. C934-C948 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Kusano ◽  
H. Gainer

Voltage- and Ca(2+)-activated whole cell currents were studied in AR42J cells, a clonal cell line derived from rat pancreatic acinar cells, using a patch electrode voltage-clamp technique. Four kinds of ionic currents were identified by their ionic dependencies, pharmacological properties, and kinetic parameters: 1) an outward current flow due mainly to a voltage-dependent K(+)-conductance increase, 2) an initial transient inward current due to an Na(+)-conductance increase, 3) transient and long-duration inward current due to a Ca(2+)-conductance increase, and 4) a slowly activating inward current that persists over the duration of the depolarizing pulse and deactivates slowly upon repolarization, producing a slow inward tail current. The slow inward tail current was particularly robust and was interpreted as due to a Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-)-conductance increase, since 1) the generation of this current was blocked by removing the extracellular Ca2+, applying Ca(2+)-channel blockers (Cd2+, nifedipine), or by lowering the intracellular Ca2+ concentration [( Ca2+]i) with EGTA; and 2) the reversal potential (Erev) of the slow inward tail current was close to 0 mV in the control condition (152 mM [Cl-]o/154 mM [Cl-]i), and changes of the [Cl-]o/[Cl )i ratio shifted the Erev toward the predicted Cl- equilibrium potential.


1996 ◽  
Vol 199 (9) ◽  
pp. 1921-1930
Author(s):  
J A David ◽  
R M Pitman

The effects of activation of a population of [alpha]-bungarotoxin ([alpha]-bgt)-insensitive cholinergic receptors on the soma of the cockroach fast coxal depressor motor neurone (Df) have been examined under two-electrode voltage-clamp conditions. Activation of these receptors was achieved by bath-application either of acetylcholine (ACh) in the presence of [alpha]-bgt or of the muscarinic agonist McN-A-343 (McN). Since these receptors have been shown previously to respond to some nicotinic agonists, we refer to them as 'McN-sensitive or mixed pharmacological profile muscarinic receptors' (mMAChRs). Activation of these receptors normally results in a biphasic response consisting of an initial outward current component, which reverses near -70 mV, and a later (delayed) inwardly directed current, which is only observed at membrane potentials more positive than -40 to -20 mV. The initial outwardly directed component of the McN-induced current appears to result from an increase in K+ conductance since it reverses at potentials close to the K+ equilibrium potential (EK) (approximately -70 mV under the experimental conditions used) and is blocked by internal Cs+. This increase in K+ conductance is probably due to an increase in Ca2+-activated K+ current (IK,Ca) which is known to form a large proportion of the outward current observed when this neurone is depolarized. The delayed inwardly directed current induced by McN results from suppression of a Ca2+ current (ICa) which, in turn, causes a decrease in IK,Ca. The net effect is a reduction in outward current, because IK,Ca is considerably larger than ICa. Evidence for an action of McN upon Ca2+ channels is provided by experiments in which K+ currents have been suppressed by internal Cs+ to reveal inward currents produced by the movement of Ba2+ through voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels. Ba2+ currents observed under these conditions are suppressed by bath application of McN. The inwardly directed current component of the McN response is unlikely to involve direct regulation of IK,Ca, since McN has no effect upon this current when it is induced by brief intracellular Ca2+ injections. Both the initial outwardly directed component and the delayed inwardly directed component of the McN-induced current were suppressed by intracellular injection of the Ca2+ chelator BAPTA. These observations suggest that a rise in [Ca2+]i mediates the electrophysiological effects of McN in Df somata.


Author(s):  
Christian Carnevale ◽  
Douglas A. Syme ◽  
A. Kurt Gamperl

Whether hypoxic acclimation influences nitric oxide (NO)-mediated control of fish cardiac function is not known. Thus, we measured the function / performance of myocardial strips from normoxia and hypoxia-acclimated (40% air saturation; ~ 8 kPa O2) trout at several frequencies (20 - 80 contractions min-1) and two muscle strain amplitudes (8 and 14%) when exposed to increasing concentrations of the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) (10-9 to 10-4 M). Further, we examined the influence of: 1) nitric oxide synthase (NOS) produced NO (by blocking NOS with 10-4 M L-NMMA); and 2) soluble guanylyl cyclase mediated, NOS-independent, NO effects (i.e., after blockade with 10-4 M ODQ), on myocardial contractility. Hypoxic acclimation increased twitch duration by 8-10% and decreased mass-specific net power by ~35%. However, hypoxic acclimation only had minor impacts on the effects of SNP and the two blockers on myocardial function. The most surprising result of this study was the degree to which contraction frequency and strain amplitude influenced NO-mediated effects on myocardial power. For example, at 8% strain 10-4 SNP resulted in a decrease in net power of ~30% at 20 min-1 but an increase of ~20% at 80 min-1, and this effect was magnified at 14% strain. This study: suggests that hypoxic acclimation has only minor effects on NO-mediated myocardial contractility in salmonids; is the first to report the highly frequency- and strain-dependent nature of NO effects on myocardial contractility in fishes; and supports previous work showing that NO effects on the heart (myocardium) are finely tuned spatio-temporally.


2003 ◽  
Vol 284 (4) ◽  
pp. C839-C847 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sok Han Kang ◽  
Pieter Vanden Berghe ◽  
Terence K. Smith

Whole cell patch-clamp recordings were made from cultured myenteric neurons taken from murine proximal colon. The micropipette contained Cs+ to remove K+ currents. Depolarization elicited a slowly activating time-dependent outward current ( I tdo), whereas repolarization was followed by a slowly deactivating tail current ( I tail). I tdo and I tail were present in ∼70% of neurons. We identified these currents as Cl− currents ( I Cl), because changing the transmembrane Cl− gradient altered the measured reversal potential ( E rev) of both I tdo and I tail with that for I tailshifted close to the calculated Cl− equilibrium potential ( E Cl). I Cl are Ca2+-activated Cl− current [ I Cl(Ca)] because they were Ca2+dependent. E Cl, which was measured from the E rev of I Cl(Ca) using a gramicidin perforated patch, was −33 mV. This value is more positive than the resting membrane potential (−56.3 ± 2.7 mV), suggesting myenteric neurons accumulate intracellular Cl−. ω-Conotoxin GIVA [0.3 μM; N-type Ca2+ channel blocker] and niflumic acid [10 μM; known I Cl(Ca) blocker], decreased the I Cl(Ca). In conclusion, these neurons have I Cl(Ca) that are activated by Ca2+entry through N-type Ca2+ channels. These currents likely regulate postspike frequency adaptation.


1996 ◽  
Vol 75 (5) ◽  
pp. 2029-2035 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Travagli ◽  
M. Wessendorf ◽  
J. T. Williams

1. The nucleus locus coeruleus (LC) is made up of noradrenergic cells all of which are hyperpolarized by opioids. Recent work has shown that the reversal potential of the opioid-induced current is more negative than the potassium equilibrium potential. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the extent of the dendritic field could contribute to the very negative opioid reversal potential. 2. Individual LC cells were labeled in the brain slice preparation. The number of dendrites found on cells in slices sectioned in the horizontal plane was greater than cells in coronal slices. However, the dimensions of the cell body slices from each plane were not significantly different. 3. The resting conductance of neurons from slices cut in the horizontal plane was significantly larger than in cells from coronal plane. 4. The amplitude of the outward current induced by [Met5]-enkephalin (ME) was larger in cells from horizontal slices and the reversal potential was more negative than that of cells in coronal slices. 5. The results show that the plane of section influences the membrane properties and opioid actions of LC neurons in vitro and suggest that these differences correlate with the numbers of dendrites. The results suggest that in vivo, in addition to intrinsic membrane properties and synaptic inputs, the structural makeup of the nucleus is an important factor in determining the activity.


2001 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 849-856 ◽  
Author(s):  
WILLIAM H. BALDRIDGE ◽  
ANDY J. FISCHER

Nitric oxide (NO) activates soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) and the resulting increase in cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) is an important intracellular signalling pathway in the vertebrate retina. Immunocytochemical detection of cGMP following exposure to NO donors has proven an effective method of identifying cells that express sGC. While such an approach has proven useful for the study of several vertebrate retinas, it has not been applied to the well-characterized teleost retina. Therefore, in the present study, we have applied this approach to the retina of the goldfish (Carassius auratus). In the presence of the phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), incubation of goldfish eyecups in Ringer's solution containing (±)-S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) increased cGMP-like immunoreactivity (cG-ir) in bipolar, horizontal, amacrine, and ganglion cells and in ganglion cell axons and optic nerve. Weak labeling was observed in horizontal cells but no change in cG-ir was noted within photoreceptors. The NO donor-stimulated increases of cG-ir in horizontal, bipolar, amacrine, and ganglion cells are consistent with known physiological effects of NO on these neurons. The physiological significance of NO action at the level of optic nerve is not known. The lack of an effect of SNAP on cG-ir in photoreceptors was unexpected, as there are known physiological actions of NO, mediated by cGMP, on these neurons. Although this may be due to insufficient sensitivity of immunolabeling, this result may indicate a difference between isoforms of sGC or cGMP PDE in these neurons, compared to neurons where exogenous NO increased cG-ir.


1997 ◽  
Vol 273 (5) ◽  
pp. H2290-H2295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donghai Huangfu ◽  
Patrice G. Guyenet

A5 noradrenergic neurons control sympathetic outflow, nociception, and respiration. The presence of α2-adrenergic receptors (α2-ARs) in A5 cells has been suggested by immunohistochemistry. In the present experiments, we analyze the response of spinally projecting A5 cells to α2-AR agonists, and we compare it with that of locus ceruleus (A6) neurons. Whole cell recordings were obtained from 52 spinally projecting neurons in the ventrolateral pons of neonate rats. Immunohistochemistry showed that 60% of the recorded cells were A5 cells. In A5 cells clamped at −55 mV, norepinephrine (NE) in the presence of the α1-AR antagonist prazosin produced a Ba2+-sensitive outward current (20.4 ± 2.6 pA; n = 28). The α2-AR-induced current reversed at the K+ equilibrium potential ( E K) at three different extracellular K+ concentrations. Replacement of 82% of the extracellular Na concentration with N-methyl-d-glucamine did not change the reversal potential. The 19 presumably noncatecholaminergic neurons responded weakly or not at all to NE (2.5 ± 0.6 pA outward current). Pontospinal A6 neurons ( n = 11) were also recorded. Six A6 cells displayed large tetrodotoxin (TTX)-resistant membrane oscillations. In these cells, the current induced by α2-AR stimulation did not reverse over the voltages tested (−50 to −130 mV) or reversed at potentials more negative than E K (less than −114 mV). In A6 neurons that did not display large oscillations ( n = 5), the α2-AR-induced current reversed at or close to the E K (−90 ± 1.6 mV). In conclusion, A5 cells, like locus ceruleus neurons, have α2-ARs that may function as autoreceptors. In both cases, α2-AR activation increases an inwardly rectifying K+conductance. In A5 cells, we found no evidence that α2-AR activation decreases a resting Na+ conductance. The inhibition of A5 cells by clonidine and other agents with α2-AR agonist activity is likely to contribute to the ability of these drugs to decrease sympathetic tone and arterial pressure.


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