Gating currents associated with sodium and calcium currents in an Aplysia neuron

Science. 1976 May 21;192(4241):783-4. doi: 10.1126/science.1265479.

Abstract

In a voltage-clamped aplysia neuron (R15), depolarization beyond -30 millivolts produces an inward sodium current. Depolarization beyond -10 millivolts produces an additional inward calcium current with slower kinetics than the sodium current. When these ionic currents have been suppressed and capacitive currents subtracted out, a small outward displacement current can be seen with depolarizations beyond -30 millivolts. An additional, slower displacement current is seen with depolarizations beyond -10 millivolts. The currents have an exponential decay with an increase in rate per 10 degrees C increase in temperature of about 3 and are thought to be sodium and calcium gating currents.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Transport
  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Kinetics
  • Membrane Potentials*
  • Mollusca
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Sodium / metabolism*
  • Temperature

Substances

  • Sodium
  • Calcium