scholarly journals Mathematical Modeling of Subthreshold Resonant Properties in Pyloric Dilator Neurons

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Babak Vazifehkhah Ghaffari ◽  
Mojgan Kouhnavard ◽  
Takeshi Aihara ◽  
Tatsuo Kitajima

Various types of neurons exhibit subthreshold resonance oscillation (preferred frequency response) to fluctuating sinusoidal input currents. This phenomenon is well known to influence the synaptic plasticity and frequency of neural network oscillation. This study evaluates the resonant properties of pacemaker pyloric dilator (PD) neurons in the central pattern generator network through mathematical modeling. From the pharmacological point of view, calcium currents cannot be blocked in PD neurons without removing the calcium-dependent potassium current. Thus, the effects of calciumICaand calcium-dependent potassiumIKCacurrents on resonant properties remain unclear. By taking advantage of Hodgkin-Huxley-type model of neuron and its equivalent RLC circuit, we examine the effects of changing resting membrane potential and those ionic currents on the resonance. Results show that changing the resting membrane potential influences the amplitude and frequency of resonance so that the strength of resonance (Q-value) increases by both depolarization and hyperpolarization of the resting membrane potential. Moreover, hyperpolarization-activated inward currentIhandICa(in association withIKCa) are dominant factors on resonant properties at hyperpolarized and depolarized potentials, respectively. Through mathematical analysis, results indicate thatIhandIKCaaffect the resonant properties of PD neurons. However,ICaonly has an amplifying effect on the resonance amplitude of these neurons.

2000 ◽  
Vol 84 (6) ◽  
pp. 2896-2903 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi-Ping Fan ◽  
Eric M. Horn ◽  
Tony G. Waldrop

Neurons in the caudal hypothalamus (CH) are responsible for the modulation of various processes including respiratory and cardiovascular output. Previous results from this and other laboratories have demonstrated in vivo that these neurons have firing rhythms matched to the respiratory and cardiovascular cycles. The goal of the present study was to characterize the biophysical properties of neurons in the CH with particular emphasis in those properties responsible for rhythmic firing behavior. Whole cell, patch-clamped CH neurons displayed a resting membrane potential of −58.0 ± 1.1 mV and an input resistance of 319.3 ± 16.6 MΩ when recorded in current-clamp mode in an in vitro brain slice preparation. A large proportion of these neurons displayed postinhibitory rebound (PIR) that was dependent on the duration and magnitude of hyperpolarizing current as well as the resting membrane potential of the cell. Furthermore these neurons discharged tonically in response to a depolarizing current pulse at a depolarized resting membrane potential (more positive than −65 mV) but switched to a rapid burst of firing to the same stimulus when the resting membrane potential was lowered. The PIR observed in these neurons was calcium dependent as demonstrated by the ability to block its amplitude by perfusion of Ca2+-free bath solution or by application of Ni2+ (0.3–0.5 mM) or nifedipine (10 μM). These properties suggest that low-voltage-activated (LVA) calcium current is involved in the PIR and bursting firing of these CH neurons. In addition, high-voltage-activated calcium responses were detected after blockade of outward potassium current or in Ba2+-replacement solution. In addition, almost all of the CH neurons studied showed spike frequency adaptation that was decreased following Ca2+ removal, indicating the involvement of Ca2+-dependent K+ current ( I K,Ca) in these cells. In conclusion, CH neurons have at least two different types of calcium currents that contribute to their excitability; the dominant current is the LVA or T-type. This LVA current appears to play a significant role in the bursting characteristics that may underlie the rhythmic firing of CH neurons.


1999 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
pp. 1318-1329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesper Tegnér ◽  
Sten Grillner

Interactive effects of the GABABergic modulation of calcium channels and calcium-dependent potassium channels in lamprey. The GABAB-mediated modulation of spinal neurons in the lamprey is investigated in this study. Activation of GABAB receptors reduces calcium currents through both low- (LVA) and high-voltage activated (HVA) calcium channels, which subsequently results in the reduction of the calcium-dependent potassium (KCa) current. This in turn will reduce the peak amplitude of the afterhyperpolarization (AHP). We used the modulatory effects of GABAB receptor activation on N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA)-induced, TTX-resistant membrane potential oscillations as an experimental model in which to separate the effects of GABAB receptor activation on LVA calcium channels from that on KCachannels. We show experimentally and by using simulations that a direct effect on LVA calcium channels can account for the effects of GABAB receptor activation on intrinsic membrane potential oscillations to a larger extent than indirect effects mediated via KCa channels. Furthermore, by conducting experiments and simulations on intrinsic membrane potential oscillations, we find that KCa channels may be activated by calcium entering through LVA calcium channels, providing that the decay kinetics of the calcium that enters through LVA calcium channels is not as slow as the calcium entering via NMDA receptors. A combined experimental and computational analysis revealed that the LVA calcium current also contributes to neuronal firing properties.


1982 ◽  
Vol 216 (1203) ◽  
pp. 209-224 ◽  

The relation between intracellular pH and membrane excitability was studied in the holotrich ciliate Paramecium caudatum . Intracellular pH (pH j ) was measured with recessed-tip ion-sensitive microelectrodes (Thomas 1974) and electrical properties were examined by current stimulation and conventional two-electrode voltage clamp. Under normal conditions the resting pH i of Paramecium was 6.80 ± 0.05. Intracellular alkalinization enhanced the early Ca current, while internal acidification depressed the Ca current. Both effects occurred in a voltage-independent manner. The late outward current was relatively unaffected by these alterations. Results obtained with replacement of extracellular Ca 2+ by Ba 2+ also support a direct effect of pH i on current through the Ca channel. Intracellular alkalinization to pH 7.15 converted graded, quasi-regenerative Ca responses elicited by injected current pulses into all-or-none action potentials. This change to all-or-none behaviour is presumed to be due to the increase in Ca current and a consequent change in the balance of inward and outward currents. Extracellular pH changes had little effect on pH i , resting membrane potential or the current-voltage relations. The intracellular pH was also independent of shifts in membrane potential. The results are consistent with a model in which Ca channel permeability is blocked by intracellular protonation of a single titratable site having an apparent dissociation constant of 6.2.


1992 ◽  
Vol 263 (1) ◽  
pp. R177-R184 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Herve ◽  
K. Yamaoka ◽  
V. W. Twist ◽  
T. Powell ◽  
J. C. Ellory ◽  
...  

The effects of changing temperature on the electrophysiology of isolated cardiac myocytes of the guinea pig and Richardson's ground squirrel were studied by patch-clamp techniques. In cells from both species, the resting membrane potential declined on cooling from 36 to 12 degrees C by approximately 6 mV. The duration of the plateau of the action potential in guinea pig cells increased monotonically on cooling. In contrast, the action potential of ground squirrel cells showed a biphasic response, increasing in duration from 36 to 24 degrees C and then decreasing on cooling from 24 to 12 degrees C. From voltage-clamp studies, the properties of L-type calcium currents (ICa) on cooling were compared in the two species and were found to be similar: In both cases, ICa decreased in amplitude from approximately 2 nA peak current at 36 degrees C to less than 400 pA at 12 degrees C. The Q10 of both the maximum amplitude and time to peak for ICa in both species was approximately 1.8. The time for half inactivation had a greater Q10 of 2.5-3. It is concluded that, surprisingly, factors affecting the resting membrane potential and properties of L-type calcium channels are not major contributors to cardiac dysfunction on cooling. Rather, it is sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium release and reuptake that are likely to be the most important cold-sensitive processes.


1986 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 180-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. A. Esau ◽  
N. Sperelakis

With muscle fatigue the chloride (Cl-) conductance of the sarcolemmal membrane decreases. The role of lowered Cl- conductance in the prolongation of relaxation seen with fatigue was studied in isolated hamster diaphragm strips. The muscles were studied in either a Krebs solution or a low Cl- solution in which half of the NaCl was replaced by Na-gluconate. Short tetanic contractions were produced by a 160-ms train of 0.2-ms pulses at 60 Hz from which tension (T) and the time constant of relaxation were measured. Resting membrane potential (Em) was measured using KCl-filled microelectrodes with resistances of 15–20 M omega. Mild fatigue (20% fall in tension) was induced by 24–25 tetanic contractions at the rate of 2/s. There was no difference in Em or T in the two solutions, either initially or with fatigue. The time constant of relaxation was greater in low Cl- solution, both initially (22 +/- 3 vs. 18 +/- 5 ms, mean +/- SD, P less than 0.05) and with fatigue (51 +/- 18 vs. 26 +/- 7 ms, P less than 0.005). Lowering of sarcolemmal membrane Cl- conductance appears to play a role in the slowing of relaxation of hamster diaphragm muscle seen with fatigue.


1987 ◽  
Vol 65 (9) ◽  
pp. 1821-1831 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Honoré ◽  
M. M. Adamantidis ◽  
B. A. Dupuis ◽  
C. E. Challice ◽  
P. Guilbault

Biphasic contractions have been obtained in guinea-pig papillary muscle by inducing partial depolarization in K+-rich solution (17 mM) containing 0.3 μM isoproterenol; whereas in guinea-pig atria, the same conditions led to monophasic contractions corresponding to the first component of contraction in papillary muscle. The relationships between the amplitude of the two components of the biphasic contraction and the resting membrane potential were sigmoidal curves. The first component of contraction was inactivated for membrane potentials less positive than those for the second component. In Na+-low solution (25 mM), biphasic contraction became monophasic subsequent to the loss of the second component, but tetraethylammonium unmasked the second component of contraction. The relationship between the amplitude of the first component of contraction and the logarithm of extracellular Ca2+ concentration was complex, whereas for the second component it was linear. When Ca2+ ions were replaced by Sr2+ ions, only the second component of contraction was observed. It is suggested that the first component of contraction may be triggered by a Ca2+ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum, induced by the fast inward Ca2+ current and (or) by the depolarization. The second component of contraction may be due to a direct activation of contractile proteins by Ca2+ entering the cell along with the slow inward Ca2+ current and diffusing through the sarcoplasm. These results do not exclude the existence of a third "tonic" component, which could possibly be mixed with the second component of contraction.


1993 ◽  
Vol 102 (4) ◽  
pp. 667-692 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Hamada ◽  
T Nakajima ◽  
S Ota ◽  
A Terano ◽  
M Omata ◽  
...  

The effects of acetylcholine (ACh) and histamine (His) on the membrane potential and current were examined in JR-1 cells, a mucin-producing epithelial cell line derived from human gastric signet ring cell carcinoma. The tight-seal, whole cell clamp technique was used. The resting membrane potential, the input resistance, and the capacitance of the cells were approximately -12 mV, 1.4 G ohms, and 50 pF, respectively. Under the voltage-clamp condition, no voltage-dependent currents were evoked. ACh or His added to the bathing solution hyperpolarized the membrane by activating a time- and voltage-independent K+ current. The ACh-induced hyperpolarization and K+ current persisted, while the His response desensitized quickly (< 1 min). These effects of ACh and His were mediated predominantly by m3-muscarinic and H1-His receptors, respectively. The K+ current induced by ACh and His was inhibited by charybdotoxin, suggesting that it is a Ca(2+)-activated K+ channel current (IK.Ca). The measurement of intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) using Indo-1 revealed that both agents increased [Ca2+]i with similar time courses as they increased IK.Ca. When EGTA in the pipette solution was increased from 0.15 to 10 mM, the induction of IK.Ca by ACh and His was abolished. Thus, both ACh and His activate IK.Ca by increasing [Ca2+]i in JR-1 cells. In the Ca(2+)-free bathing solution (0.15 mM EGTA in the pipette), ACh evoked IK.Ca transiently. Addition of Ca2+ (1.8 mM) to the bath immediately restored the sustained IK.Ca. These results suggest that the ACh response is due to at least two different mechanisms; i.e., the Ca2+ release-related initial transient activation and the Ca2+ influx-related sustained activation of IK.Ca. Probably because of desensitization, the Ca2+ influx-related component of the His response could not be identified. Intracellularly applied inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3), with and without inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate (IP4), mimicked the ACh response. IP4 alone did not affect the membrane current. Under the steady effect of IP3 or IP3 plus IP4, neither ACh nor His further evoked IK.Ca. Intracellular application of heparin or of the monoclonal antibody against the IP3 receptor, mAb18A10, inhibited the ACh and His responses in a concentration-dependent fashion. Neomycin, a phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor, also inhibited the agonist-induced response in a concentration-dependent fashion. Although neither pertussis toxin (PTX) nor N-ethylmaleimide affected the ACh or His activation of IK,Ca, GDP beta S attenuated and GTP gamma S enhanced the agonist response.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)


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