Comparison between the delayed outward current in slow and fast twitch skeletal muscle in the rat

Effects of miR-34c-5p on Sodium, Potassium, and Calcium Channel Currents in C2C12 Myotubes

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of miR-34c-5p on the main voltage-dependent ion channels in skeletal muscle cells. This study focused on the effects of miR-34c-5p on sodium, potassium, and calcium currents in C2C12 myoblasts. The miR-34c-5p overexpression group, knockdown group, and control group were differentiated for 7 days, fused into myotubes, and used for the whole-cell patch clamp recording. Compared with the control group, the whole-cell sodium current density of the other two groups had no significant changes. In the knockdown group, the delayed rectifier potassium current density was increased (statistically significant), and the whole-cell calcium channel current density did not change. In the overexpression group, the change of rectifier potassium current density was not obvious, while the peak calcium channel current density increased (- 9.23 ± 0.95 pA/pF, n = 6 cells for the overexpression group vs. - 6.48 ± 0.64 pA/pF, n = 7 cells for the control; p < 0.05). Changes in the expression of miR-34c-5p can affect the electrophysiological characteristics of calcium and potassium voltage-gated channels in C2C12 myotubes. Overexpression of miR-34c-5p increased whole-cell L-type calcium channel current (I_Ca,L), while miR-34c-5p knockdown increased whole-cell delayed rectifier potassium current (I_Kd).

Whole-cell voltage clamp on skeletal muscle fibers with the silicone-clamp technique

Control of membrane voltage and membrane current measurements are of critical importance for the study of numerous aspects of skeletal muscle physiology and pathophysiology. The silicone-clamp technique makes use of a conventional patch-clamp apparatus to achieve whole-cell voltage clamp of a restricted portion of a fully differentiated adult skeletal muscle fiber. The major part of an isolated muscle fiber is insulated from the extracellular medium with silicone grease and the tip of a single microelectrode connected to the amplifier is then inserted within the fiber through the silicone layer. The method is extremely easy to implement. It represents an alternative to the traditional vaseline-gap isolation and two or three microelectrodes voltage-clamp techniques. The present chapter reviews the benefits of the silicone-clamp technique and provides updated detailed insights into its practical implementation.

The delayed rectifier potassium conductance in the sarcolemma and the transverse tubular system membranes of mammalian skeletal muscle fibers

A two-microelectrode voltage clamp and optical measurements of membrane potential changes at the transverse tubular system (TTS) were used to characterize delayed rectifier K currents (IK(V)) in murine muscle fibers stained with the potentiometric dye di-8-ANEPPS. In intact fibers, IK(V) displays the canonical hallmarks of K(V) channels: voltage-dependent delayed activation and decay in time. The voltage dependence of the peak conductance (gK(V)) was only accounted for by double Boltzmann fits, suggesting at least two channel contributions to IK(V). Osmotically treated fibers showed significant disconnection of the TTS and displayed smaller IK(V), but with similar voltage dependence and time decays to intact fibers. This suggests that inactivation may be responsible for most of the decay in IK(V) records. A two-channel model that faithfully simulates IK(V) records in osmotically treated fibers comprises a low threshold and steeply voltage-dependent channel (channel A), which contributes ∼31% of gK(V), and a more abundant high threshold channel (channel B), with shallower voltage dependence. Significant expression of the IK(V)1.4 and IK(V)3.4 channels was demonstrated by immunoblotting. Rectangular depolarizing pulses elicited step-like di-8-ANEPPS transients in intact fibers rendered electrically passive. In contrast, activation of IK(V) resulted in time- and voltage-dependent attenuations in optical transients that coincided in time with the peaks of IK(V) records. Normalized peak attenuations showed the same voltage dependence as peak IK(V) plots. A radial cable model including channels A and B and K diffusion in the TTS was used to simulate IK(V) and average TTS voltage changes. Model predictions and experimental data were compared to determine what fraction of gK(V) in the TTS accounted simultaneously for the electrical and optical data. Best predictions suggest that K(V) channels are approximately equally distributed in the sarcolemma and TTS membranes; under these conditions, >70% of IK(V) arises from the TTS.

Fiber Types in Mammalian Skeletal Muscles

Mammalian skeletal muscle comprises different fiber types, whose identity is first established during embryonic development by intrinsic myogenic control mechanisms and is later modulated by neural and hormonal factors. The relative proportion of the different fiber types varies strikingly between species, and in humans shows significant variability between individuals. Myosin heavy chain isoforms, whose complete inventory and expression pattern are now available, provide a useful marker for fiber types, both for the four major forms present in trunk and limb muscles and the minor forms present in head and neck muscles. However, muscle fiber diversity involves all functional muscle cell compartments, including membrane excitation, excitation-contraction coupling, contractile machinery, cytoskeleton scaffold, and energy supply systems. Variations within each compartment are limited by the need of matching fiber type properties between different compartments. Nerve activity is a major control mechanism of the fiber type profile, and multiple signaling pathways are implicated in activity-dependent changes of muscle fibers. The characterization of these pathways is raising increasing interest in clinical medicine, given the potentially beneficial effects of muscle fiber type switching in the prevention and treatment of metabolic diseases.

Differences in sodium voltage-gated channel properties according to myosin heavy chain isoform expression in single muscle fibres

The myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform determines the characteristics and shortening velocity of muscle fibres. The functional properties of the muscle fibre are also conditioned by its membrane excitability through the electrophysiological properties of sodium voltage-gated channels. Macropatch-clamp is used to study sodium channels in fibres from peroneus longus (PL) and soleus (Sol) muscles (Wistar rats, n = 8). After patch-clamp recordings, single fibres are identified by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis according to their myosin heavy chain isoform (slow type I and the three fast types IIa, IIx, IIb). Characteristics of sodium currents are compared (Student's t test) between fibres exhibiting only one MHC isoform. Four MHC isoforms are identified in PL and only type I in Sol single fibres. In PL, maximal sodium current (I(max)), maximal sodium conductance (g(Na,max)) and time constants of activation and inactivation ((m) and (h)) increase according to the scheme I-->IIa-->IIx-->IIb (P < 0.05). (m) values related to sodium channel type and/or function, are similar in Sol I and PL IIb fibres (P = 0.97) despite different contractile properties. The voltage dependence of activation (V(a,1/2)) shows a shift towards positive potentials from Sol type I to IIa, IIx and finally IIb fibres from PL (P < 0.05). These data are consistent with the earlier recruitment of slow fibres in a fast-mixed muscle like PL, while slow fibres of postural muscle such as soleus could be recruited in the same ways as IIb fibres in a fast muscle.

Fiber type conversion alters inactivation of voltage-dependent sodium currents in murine C2C12 skeletal muscle cells

Each skeletal muscle of the body contains a unique composition of "fast" and "slow" muscle fibers, each of which is specialized for certain challenges. This composition is not static, and the muscle fibers are capable of adapting their molecular composition by altered gene expression (i.e., fiber type conversion). Whereas changes in the expression of contractile proteins and metabolic enzymes in the course of fiber type conversion are well described, little is known about possible adaptations in the electrophysiological properties of skeletal muscle cells. Such adaptations may involve changes in the expression and/or function of ion channels. In this study, we investigated the effects of fast-to-slow fiber type conversion on currents via voltage-gated Na+ channels in the C(2)C(12) murine skeletal muscle cell line. Prolonged treatment of cells with 25 nM of the Ca2+ ionophore A-23187 caused a significant shift in myosin heavy chain isoform expression from the fast toward the slow isoform, indicating fast-to-slow fiber type conversion. Moreover, Na+ current inactivation was significantly altered. Slow inactivation less strongly inhibited the Na+ currents of fast-to-slow fiber type-converted cells. Compared with control cells, the Na+ currents of converted cells were more resistant to block by tetrodotoxin, suggesting enhanced relative expression of the cardiac Na+ channel isoform Na(v)1.5 compared with the skeletal muscle isoform Na(v)1.4. These results imply that fast-to-slow fiber type conversion of skeletal muscle cells involves functional adaptation of their electrophysiological properties.

Human skeletal muscle fibres: molecular and functional diversity

Contractile and energetic properties of human skeletal muscle have been studied for many years in vivo in the body. It has been, however, difficult to identify the specific role of muscle fibres in modulating muscle performance. Recently it has become possible to dissect short segments of single human muscle fibres from biopsy samples and make them work in nearly physiologic conditions in vitro. At the same time, the development of molecular biology has provided a wealth of information on muscle proteins and their genes and new techniques have allowed analysis of the protein isoform composition of the same fibre segments used for functional studies. In this way the histological identification of three main human muscle fibre types (I, IIA and IIX, previously called IIB) has been followed by a precise description of molecular composition and functional and biochemical properties. It has become apparent that the expression of different protein isoforms and therefore the existence of distinct muscle fibre phenotypes is one of the main determinants of the muscle performance in vivo. The present review will first describe the mechanisms through which molecular diversity is generated and how fibre types can be identified on the basis of structural and functional characteristics. Then the molecular and functional diversity will be examined with regard to (1) the myofibrillar apparatus; (2) the sarcolemma and the sarcoplasmic reticulum; and (3) the metabolic systems devoted to producing ATP. The last section of the review will discuss the advantage that fibre diversity can offer in optimizing muscle contractile performance.

A patch-clamp study of delayed rectifier currents in skeletal muscle of control and mdx mice

1. Potassium currents were measured in the extensor digitorum longus muscle of normal and mdx mice, which lack the protein dystrophin, using the cell-attached and inside-out patch clamp techniques, in the presence of asymmetrical K+ concentrations (3 mM in the pipette, 160 mM in the bath). 2. In cell-attached patches, the delayed rectifier was the most commonly found potassium channel, with a density of roughly 8 channels microns-2. Outward macroscopic currents were activated in macropatches depolarized to potentials positive to -60 mV. The probability of opening reached half-maximal values around -40 mV for control patches and -31 mV for patches from mdx mice. 3. Tail currents were linear in the range between -60 and +20 mV, reversing close to -100 mV. The single channel current at 0 mV, estimated from non-stationary analysis of variance, was used in conjunction with the slope of the linear part of the tail current to calculate the single channel conductance, yielding a value of 19 +/- 1 pS. 4. At 0 mV, the delayed rectifier inactivated with two time constants, of 70 +/- 20 ms and 600 +/- 200 ms. Prepulses of 500 ms duration to different potentials produced incomplete inactivation with inactivation reaching 50% of its maximum at -50 mV. 5. Single channel activity was recorded using small pipettes. Both single channel conductance and kinetic behaviour were in agreement with the macroscopic current data. 6. In excised patches, the delayed rectifier current ran down, unmasking other K+ channels. A Ca(2+)-dependent K+ channel of 186 pS (BK-like channel) was found frequently in patches bathed in solutions containing appropriate concentrations of calcium, especially at stronger depolarizations. A K+ channel of 63 pS was unmasked in control excised patches bathed in solutions devoid of ATP. This channel was not observed in patches excised from mdx fibers.

Expression of a voltage-dependent potassium current precedes fusion of human muscle satellite cells (myoblasts)

Using the whole-cell recording patch clamp technique in clonal cultures of human muscle satellite cells (SC), we studied a voltage-gated potassium current analogous to the delayed rectifier current (IKdr) described in adult human skeletal muscle. This current was absent in proliferating SC cultured in a growth medium containing 15% serum, except when the SC approached the end of their replicative life (between 77 and 124 days in culture); at that time, approximately 50% of the SC possessed IKdr. In contrast, IKdr was expressed within less than 4 days in approximately 70% of the SC cultured in a serum-free medium (SFM) and within 24 h in differentiating medium. We believe that IKdr may be a characteristic feature of fusion-component SC and that it may be involved in the fusion process for the following reasons: 1) after the transfer in differentiating medium, cultures of SC in which the expression of IKdr was previously promoted by exposure to SFM were found to fuse immediately, without the initial 24 h lag time observed in control sister cultures; 2) in the latter "naive" SC, IKdr was expressed during the first day in differentiating medium, before SC began to fuse; 3) most of the SC that did not fuse even after weeks of exposure to differentiating medium did not express IKdr; 4) TEA, at a concentration of 3 mM, reduces the amplitude of IKdr by 55% and the fusion index by 55-67%.

Activation of a slow outward current by the calcium released during contraction of cultured rat skeletal muscle cells

A slow outward current, activated during depolarization, which induced contraction in whole-cell patch-clamped rat skeletal muscle cells in primary culture [10], was extensively characterized in the present study. This current, Io, was simultaneously recorded with the contraction as a slow outward current during the test pulse, and a slow outward bell-shaped tail after repolarization. Io never appeared below the threshold potential for contraction, and the tail amplitude displayed a similar evolution with peak contraction amplitude as a function of membrane potential. This feature is consistent with the fact that Io was suppressed when contraction was blocked by 5 microM nifedipine [10], and it suggests that Io was dependent on calcium released during contraction. This was confirmed by the fact that the presence of 10 mM EGTA in the patch pipette prevented the development of both contraction and Io, and that Io could be activated during caffeine-induced contractures without applying depolarizations. Io could be carried by K+ or Cs+ ions, but not by Na+. The pharmacology of Io was different from that of Ca(2+)-dependent BK and SK channels, since it was resistant to tetraethylammonium (135 mM), charybdotoxin (25 nM) and apamin (50 nM). Io was also insensitive to 4-aminopyridine (1 mM) but blocked by 5 mM Ba2+ without change to contraction. It was concluded that rat cultured myoballs exhibit a Cs+ permeation through an atypical K+ channel type, which is activated by the calcium released during contraction.

Developmental expression of voltage-sensitive K+ channels in mouse skeletal muscle and C2C12 cells

The developmental expression of voltage-sensitive K+ channels was analyzed by Northern blot in mouse skeletal muscle. Of nine Shaker-like genes studied, eight are expressed in this mammalian muscle. Their expression is differentially regulated during development. The mouse cell line C2C12 has been used to study expression of voltage-sensitive K+ channels during in vitro myotube differentiation. Different voltage-sensitive K+ channel messages are also expressed in these cells which display a pattern of expression depending upon the differentiation stage. The message for the very peculiar K+ channel of IsK type could only be detected by polymerase chain reaction on skeletal muscle mRNA.

Seasonal changes in the response of fast and slow mammalian skeletal muscle fibers to zero potassium

While investigating the decline in resting membrane potential (RMP) of rat skeletal muscle fibers in zero potassium solution, we discovered that there is seasonal variation in the response of the extensor digitorum longus muscle (EDL). In January, most EDL fibers hyperpolarize in zero K+; in September, most depolarize; the distribution of RMPs recorded in May is bimodal, with some fibers hyperpolarizing and some depolarizing. Fibers from the soleus muscle depolarize in zero K+ irrespective of the season. The ability of EDL fibers to hyperpolarize appears during the 7th and 8th weeks postpartum, and is dependent upon the presence of a functional nerve, since denervation abolished the response. As possible explanations for these findings, inactivation of K(+)-channels and inhibition of the Na-K pump by zero K+ are discussed.

Voltage-dependent K+ channels in the sarcolemma of mouse skeletal muscle

The voltage-dependent K+ channels of the mammalian sarcolemma were studied with the patch-clamp technique in intact, enzymatically dissociated fibres from the toe muscle of the mouse. With a physiological solution (containing 2.5 mM K+) in the pipette, depolarizing pulses imposed on a cell-attached membrane patch activated K+ channels with a conductance of about 17 pS. No channel activity was observed when the pipette solution contained 2 mM tetraethylammonium (TEA), or 2 mM 4-aminopyridine (4-AP). Whole cell recordings from these very small muscle fibres showed the well-known delayed rectifier K+ outward current with a threshold of about -40 mV. The whole-cell current was completely blocked by 2 mM TEA in the bath, suggesting that the TEA-sensitive channels in the patch were also delayed rectifier channels. The inactivation properties of the channels were studied in the cell-attached mode. Averaged single-channel traces showed at least two types of channels discernible by their inactivation time course at a test potential of 60 mV. The fast type inactivated with a time constant of about 150 ms, the slow type with a time constant of about 400 ms. A little channel activity always remained during pulses lasting several minutes, indicating either the presence of a very slowly inactivating third type of K+ channel, or the tendency of the fast inactivating channels to re-open at constant voltage. No difference was seen in the single-channel amplitudes of the different types of K+ channels. The well characterized adenosine-5'-triphosphate-(ATP)-sensitive and Ca(2+)-dependent K+ channels, although present, were not active under the conditions used.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Electrical properties of cultured dorsal root ganglion neurons from normal and trisomy 21 human fetal tissue

Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, in 22 degrees C tissue culture containing nerve growth factor, taken from normal and trisomy 21 human fetal tissues, were subjected to current and voltage clamp measurements using a tight-seal whole-cell recording technique. Measurements were made between 1 and 2 weeks in culture, when the electrical properties of both neuron groups were shown to be constant and when mean values for passive electrical parameters did not differ significantly between groups. The duration of the action potential was significantly less in trisomic than in control neurons, and both depolarization and repolarization were accelerated. Tetraethylammonium (5 mM), which partially blocked outward currents, prolonged the rate of repolarization of the action potential in both neuron groups, and abolished the difference in the rate between the groups. Furthermore, the activation rate constants of two model-defined outward potassium currents were significantly higher in trisomic than in control neurons, suggesting that acceleration of repolarization of the action potential in trisomic neurons was due to shorter activation time-constants of outward potassium currents.

Comparison between slow sodium channel inactivation in rat slow- and fast-twitch muscle

1. Voltage-clamp Na+ currents (INa) were studied in rat soleus slow-twitch muscle fibres at about 18 degrees C using the loose-patch-clamp technique. The maximum inward current density was produced by depolarizations to about -19 mV. 2. Fast inactivation was studied utilizing 20 ms conditioning potentials. INa was reduced by 50% with conditioning potentials to about -70 mV. 3. Changes in the conditioning membrane potential produced slow changes in the peak INa due to a slow inactivation process. INa was reduced by 50% at about -86 mV due to slow inactivation. 4. The mean maximum inward INa when slow inactivation was fully removed was 6.83 mA cm-2. 5. Due to the slow inactivation process, slow-twitch fibres were less susceptible to reduction in INa than fast-twitch fibres.

A reappraisal of the evidence for a direct action of tetraethylammonium on the chick biventer cervicis muscle equilibrated with lidocaine

Contractures of the chick biventer cervicis muscle were recorded in vitro in response to exogenous acetylcholine (ACh) and to tetraethylammonium (TEA) and concentration response curves (CRC) produced for these drugs. In BVC muscles equilibrated with lidocaine (1.07 mM), physostigmine (3.63 microM) blocked TEA induced contractures in a reversible non-competitive manner. It had a similar action on ACh induced contractures. Lidocaine (1.07 mM) had no action on the ACh CRC except that it reduced the response to the highest concentration of ACh tested. The data of this and of previous experiments was analyzed and a theory proposed to account for TEA contractures. It suggested that background extravesicular ACh release results in the passage of K+ into the transverse tubular system (TT). In the presence of TEA blocking the K+ channels accumulation of K+ in the TT no longer occurs. Na+/K+ exchange is depressed in favour of Na+/Ca+ exchange and the resulting rise in intracellular Ca2+ acting on the sarcoplasmic reticulum leads to contraction. Lidocaine potentiates the contraction by blocking Ca2+ uptake into the sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Ionic channels: II. Voltage- and agonist-gated and agonist-modified channel properties and structure

This article reviews the different forms of ionic channels: voltage-gated, agonist-gated, and agonist- and second messenger-modified channels. The recent advances in our knowledge of the amino acid sequence of the sodium channel and the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and the relationship of the primary structure to the channels' quarternary structure and function are discussed.

Ionic channels: I. The biophysical basis for ion passage and channel gating

This article reviews the biophysics of ion passage through membrane pores, as well as the physical factors that control the ion selectivity, gating, and conductance of an ionic channel. Different voltage clamp techniques are discussed in detail. The biophysical properties of sodium channels are reviewed.

Asymmetric charge movement in contracting muscle fibres in the rabbit

The Vaseline-gap technique was used to record asymmetric charge movement in small segments of muscle fibres from the white sternomastoid or the soleus muscle of the rabbit. At 22 degrees C, non-linear ionic currents (Na+, K+, Cl-, Ca2+) were virtually eliminated for potential steps to 0 mV or below by specific blocking agents or ion substitution. A Boltzmann fit of charge movement (Q) vs. potential (V) produced the mean values Qmax = 15.2 nC/microF, V = -26.8 mV and k = 15.3 mV for twenty-three sternomastoid fibres, and 4.8 nC/microF, -32 mV and 13.7 mV for seven soleus fibres. Qmax for the sternomastoid fibres was similar to that for other fast-twitch fibres when normalized by surface area rather than capacitance. Using a 55 ms step, the mean threshold potential (Vth) for contraction in twenty-eight fibres was -25.9 (+/- 2.9) mV (+/- S.E. of mean), and the mean amount of charge moved (qth) at the threshold potential was 8.5 (+/- 0.4) nC/microF. In some contracting fibres, a component of charge movement was observed which was analogous to q gamma in amphibian muscle in its time course and potential dependence. Addition of 80 mM-sucrose to the external solution increased the speed of both the asymmetric charge movement and the charging of the linear capacitance of each fibre. The effect was reversible. A clear relation between the time course of these two parameters was established, and this strongly indicated that the majority of the asymmetric charge was located in the transverse tubular system or beyond. Moreover, it was shown that at 22 degrees C nearly all asymmetric charge moved in less than 0.5 ms after depolarization of the T-system. Sucrose in the external solution affected the Q vs. V relation, steepening the curve and shifting it to more negative potentials, as well as slightly increasing Qmax. The actions of sucrose strongly suggest that it effectively dilates and/or shortens the transverse tubular system, probably by osmotic effects.

Voltage-dependent channels of human muscle cultures

Cultures were grown from satellite cells obtained from biopsies of normal children and of boys having Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Patch-clamp recordings were obtained from mononucleated cells and from young myotubes containing up to five nuclei. Four current types were distinguished. Na currents had a maximum amplitude near -10 mV and a half inactivation point near -60 mV. Single channel currents observed in isolated patches had a main unit size of 1.8 pA at -30 mV. Voltage dependent outward K currents were blocked by applying tetraethylammonium to the bath solution. In some cells, outward currents had a rather slow activation and did not inactivate. In other cells, activation was faster, and the currents inactivated. At large positive potentials, another K current was activated. The corresponding channels displayed large unit steps in isolated patches. Hyperpolarizing voltage pulses elicited in about one third of the cells inward rectifier currents. All currents types were found with similar characteristics in normal and DMD cultures. Whole cell results were very variable. Cells displayed various combinations of the four kinds of currents. To understand the origin of this diversity, clonal cultures were investigated. Clones displayed more homogeneous electrical properties than standard cultures, suggesting the presence of various types of stem cells in the non-clonal cultures.

Changes in the ionic currents sensitivity to inhibitors in twitch rat skeletal muscles following denervation

Under voltage clamp conditions, using the double mannitol gap technique, ionic currents developed by fast (e.d.l.) and slow (soleus) twitch muscle fibers of the rat were analysed at different times following denervation and the results compared with those obtained in normal cells. In slow fibers, denervation caused the appearance of a new population of TTX-resistant Na+ channels (dissociation constant K2 = 2,800 nM) compared with the normal TTX-sensitive Na+ channels (K1 = 9 nM). This new population of Na channels appeared in 5 days and contributed about 32% of the total Na conductance. Denervated fast fibres developed a slow component in the delayed outward current which was found to be typical of slow innervated muscles. This component appeared 5 to 20 days after nerve section. These changes are associated with modifications of potassium channels' sensitivity for specific inhibitors (TEA and 4-AP). After denervation, the delayed outward current in the two types of muscles becomes resistant to 4-AP whereas TEA, which blocks the total delayed outward current in innervated fibers (dissociation constant of 21.4 mM) becomes more effective in blocking the fast component (dissociation constant of 0.61 mM) and less effective in blocking the slow component in denervated cells. The analysis of the characteristics of the TEA sensitive and TEA insensitive components of the outward current leads to the proposal that these components were related to the fast and to the slow components previously described in fast and slow twitch mammalian skeletal muscles.

Ionic currents and charge movements in organ-cultured rat skeletal muscle

The middle of the fibre voltage-clamp technique was used to measure ionic currents and non-linear charge movements in intact, organ-cultured (in vitro denervated) mammalian fast-twitch (rat extensor digitorum longus) muscle fibres. Muscle fibres organ cultured for 4 days can be used as electrophysiological and morphological models for muscles in vivo denervated for the same length of time. Sodium currents in organ-cultured muscle fibres are similar to innervated fibres except that in the temperature range 0-20 degrees C (a) in the steady state, the voltage distribution of inactivation in cultured fibres is shifted negatively some 20 mV; (b) at the same temperature and membrane potential, the time constant of inactivation in cultured fibres is about twice that of innervated fibres. Potassium currents in innervated and cultured fibres at 15 degrees C can be fitted with the Hodgkin-Huxley n variable raised to the second power. Despite the large range we would estimate that the maximum value of the steady-state potassium conductance of cultured fibres is about one-half that of innervated fibres. The estimated maximum amount of charge moved in cultured fibre is about one-third that in innervated fibres. Compared to innervated fibres, culturing doubles the kinetics of the decay phase of charge movement. The possibility of a negative shift of the voltage distribution of charge movements in cultured fibres is discussed.

Membrane currents in human intercostal muscle at varied extracellular potassium

Hyperpolarizing and depolarizing square steps were imposed on the membrane potential of excised human intercostal muscle fibers by means of a 3-microelectrode voltage clamp. The steady-state amplitudes of the membrane currents inducing such steps were investigated as a function of the membrane potential, while the muscle was bathed in solutions varying in potassium content (Ke = 1, 3.5, 7, 20, and 60 mM). At all potassium concentrations, the membrane acted as a rectifier, both in the inward- and outward-going directions. Inward currents were much reduced when Ke was lowered from 3.5 to 1 mM, and were increased when Ke was raised beyond 3.5 mM. The delayed outward current was reduced when Ke was increased from 3.5 mM to 7 mM and higher potassium concentration. The results were qualitatively similar to those reported for rat skeletal muscle.

Effects of the sea anemone Anemonia sulcata toxin II on skeletal muscle and on neuromuscular transmission

Effects of anemone toxin II (ATX II) have been analysed on the neuromuscular junction of the frog and different twitch muscles. Amplitudes of evoked endplate potentials and endplate currents are increased by ATX II, without effects on the amplitudes of miniature endplate potentials and endplate currents resulting from ionophoretically applied transmitter. The increase in evoked transmitter release is due to an increase in quantal content caused by an effect of the toxin on the presynaptic action potentials. ATX II is also effective on muscle fibers. The action potentials of frog twitch muscles are reversibly prolonged by ATX II. Their rate of rise and amplitudes are increased, while there is no effect on resting membrane potential. Similarly, action potentials of fast twitch muscle (extensor digitorum longus, EDL) of the mouse are reversibly prolonged by ATX II. In slow twitch muscle (soleus, SOL) of the mouse the toxin induces repetitive action potentials following the generation of a single action potential. Tetrodotoxin resistant action potentials of both denervated EDL and SOL are greatly and irreversibly prolonged by ATX II. The effects on muscle are due to a Na+ channel specific action of ATX II. Na+ current inactivation is slowed with the time constant tau h increasing towards positive membrane potentials. The steady state inactivation curve hoo was shifted to more positive potentials and its slope reduced.

Voltage-operated channels induced by foreign messenger RNA in Xenopus oocytes

Poly(A)+ messenger RNA (mRNA) extracted from rat brains or from cat muscles was injected into Xenopus laevis oocytes. This led to the incorporation of voltage-operated Na+ and K+ channels into the oocyte membrane. These channels are not normally present in the oocyte and presumably result from the synthesis and processing of proteins coded by the injected mRNA. Tetrodotoxin blocked the Na+ channels induced by mRNA derived from either innervated or denervated muscle.

A quantitative study of potassium channel kinetics in rat skeletal muscle from 1 to 37 degrees C

Potassium currents were measured using the three-microelectrode voltage-clamp technique in rat omohyoid muscle at temperatures from 1 to 37 degrees C. The currents were fitted according to the Hodgkin-Huxley equations as modified for K currents in frog skeletal muscle (Adrian et al., 1970a). The equations provided an approximate description of the time course of activation, the voltage dependence of the time constant of activation (tau n), and the voltage dependence of gK infinity. At higher temperatures the relationship between gK infinity and voltage was shifted in the hyperpolarizing direction. The effect of temperature on tau n was much greater in the cold than in the warm: tau n had a Q10 of nearly 6 at temperatures below 10 degrees C, but a Q10 of only approximately 2 over the range of 30-38 degrees C. The decreasing dependence of tau n on temperature was gradual and the Arrhenius plot of tau n revealed no obvious break-points. In addition to its quantitative effect on activation kinetics, temperature also had a qualitative effect. Near physiological temperatures (above approximately 25 degrees C), the current was well described by n4 kinetics. At intermediate temperatures (approximately 15-25 degrees C), the current was well described by n4 kinetics, but only if the n4 curve was translated rightward along the time axis (i.e., the current had a greater delay than could be accounted for by simple n4 kinetics). At low temperatures (below approximately 15 degrees C), n4 kinetics provided only an approximate fit whether or not the theoretical curve was translated along the time axis. In particular, currents in the cold displayed an initial rapid phase of activation followed by a much slower one. Thus, low temperatures appear to reveal steps in the gating process which are kinetically "hidden" at higher temperatures. Taken together, the effects of temperature on potassium currents in rat skeletal muscle demonstrate that the behavior of potassium channels at physiological temperatures cannot be extrapolated, either quantitatively or qualitatively, from experiments carried out in the cold.

Calcium action potentials in rat fast-twitch and slow-twitch muscle fibres

Slow action potentials were evoked in twitch fibres of rat extensor digitorum longus (e.d.l.) and soleus muscles after drastically reducing the Cl and K conductances of the muscle fibres. Cl conductance was eliminated by exposing the muscles to a Cl-free saline in which methanesulphonate replaced Cl. K conductance was reduced by adding tetraethylammonium (TEA) and 3,4-diaminopyridine (3,4-DAP) to the Cl-free saline or by overnight incubation of the muscles in a saline containing Cs and TEA. The delayed rectifier was markedly blocked by TEA and 3,4-DAP. In contrast, the inward rectifier was blocked only by TEA. Depolarization with pulses of increasing amplitude triggered slow responses which had a threshold of -30 to -10 mV and a peak amplitude of 50-60 mV. In e.d.l. muscles the time course of the response was sustained for the duration of the pulses and was not affected by repeated stimulation. In soleus muscles the first evoked response was sustained in about 60% of the fibres and transient in the rest. Transient responses reached a peak amplitude and were followed by a hyperpolarization. Repeated stimulation irreversibly transformed the sustained responses of soleus fibres into transient ones. The responses were blocked when the Ca in saline was replaced by Mg (10 mM) or Co (5 mM) or by the addition of Cd (0.1-1.0 mM) or nifedipine (5-6 microM). Tetrodotoxin did not affect the responses. These results strongly suggest that Ca is the main carrier of current during the response. Nifedipine blocked both the Ca response and the subsequent hyperpolarization, suggesting that the latter is due to the activation of a Ca-dependent K conductance.

Effect of glucocorticoid treatment on the excitability of rat skeletal muscle

Dexamethasone treatment in the rat produced depolarization of extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle fibers but not soleus (SOL) fibers studied in vitro at 23 degrees C. The depolarization of EDL fibers was most prominent after 1 day of treatment (treated -77.5 +/- 1.1 mV, control -87.2 +/- 0.8 mV; mean +/- S.E.), and was associated with elevation of the action potential threshold and reduction of the action potential overshoot. In vivo, or in vitro in chloride-free solution, the resting potential and action potential threshold and overshoot of EDL fibers from glucocorticoid-treated and control rats were similar. Sodium currents were studied with a patch voltage clamp. Glucocorticoid treatment did not alter the voltage dependence of sodium channel activation or inactivation in fast twitch muscle fibers. Maximal inward currents occurred at about -29 mV and half-maximal inward currents at about -50 mV. Sodium channels were half inactivated at about -71 mV. Glucocorticoid treatment did not alter the sarcolemmal resistance or capacitance. We conclude that glucocorticoid treatment does not produce muscle weakness or atrophy by altering the excitability of muscle fibers.

Membrane potential and contractures in segments cut from rat fast and slow twitch muscles

Contractile responses associated with depolarization caused by an increase in [K]0 or by voltage-clamp steps were compared for fast and slow mammalian twitch muscles. The contractions and contractures of isolated mammalian muscle fibres cut into 0.5-1.0 cm lengths are similar to those obtained from intact cells. The slope of the relationship between the membrane potential and the log [K]0 is similar in slow (46 mV +/- 0.8) and in fast fibres (48 mV +/- 1.1). This relation is not significantly modified in sodium-free or Cl-free solution. The K-contractures of cut sections of slow and fast fibres are transient and a full repriming of the response is only observed when the [K] x [Cl] product is kept constant. The contractile threshold in fast fibres is at 20-30 mM [K]0 (-52 to -43 mV) and in slow muscle at 10-15 mM [K]0 (-62 to -55 mV). Under voltage-clamp conditions, the contractile responses of both types of muscle show two components. In Na-free solution or in presence of TTX (5 x 10(-7) g/ml) the first component is abolished and the second remaining component is similar to that developing during K-contractures. In iliacus fibres, the contracture threshold is between -50.5 mV and -40.5 mV and in soleus fibres between -66 mV and -56 mV; these values are close to those obtained with K-rich depolarizing fluids. The S-shaped curve of the contracture vs membrane potential relation is similar to that found in frog muscles except that the contractile responses are graded over a larger range of membrane potentials (-50 to + 30 mV in fast and -55 to + 10 mV in slow muscle).

The ph oscillations in arterial blood during exercise; a potential signal for the ventilatory response in the dog

1. The effect of electrically induced ;exercise' on the respiratory oscillation of arterial pH was studied in chloralose-anaesthetized dogs with spinal cord transection at T8/9 (dermatome level T6/7).2. Respiratory oscillations of arterial pH (presumed to be due to oscillations of arterial P(CO2)) were sensed with a fast-responding electrode in one carotid artery. Breath-by-breath estimates of the maximum rate of change of pH of the downstroke of the pH oscillation (dpH/dt downward arrowmax) were obtained by differentiating the pH signal.3. Consistent with the findings of the previous paper (Cross et al. 1982), the ventilatory response to exercise could not be explained on the basis of sensitivity to CO(2); the Delta V(I)/DeltaP(a, CO2) was significantly greater for ;exercise' than for CO(2) inhalation.4. On average, the amplitude of the pH oscillations decreased during ;exercise'. The change in the phase relationship (varphi) between respiratory and pH cycles, although significant from the second breath onwards, was not thought to be responsible for the increased ventilation V(I); the direction of the change was opposite to that previously found to increase V(I).5. Inspiratory duration (t(i)), expiratory duration (t(e)), V(I) and the dpH/dt downward arrowmax changed significantly by the third breath of ;exercise'. A significantly linear relationship was obtained between t(e) and dpH/dt downward arrowmax during the on-transient (first ten breaths) of ;exercise'. This relationship was maintained throughout ;exercise'. V(I) and dpH/dt downward arrowmax were also linearly related during the on-transient, although the same relationship did not hold true throughout ;exercise'.6. The dpH/dt downward arrowmax was related to CO(2) production ( V(CO2)) lending support to the prediction that the slope of the downstroke of the pH oscillation is a function of V(CO2).7. It was concluded that the dpH/dt downward arrowmax (dpCO(2)/dt upward arrowmax) is a potential humoral signal in ;exercise' and could account totally for the shortening of t(e). Since there was a late rise in V(I) (due to an increase in tidal volume V(T)) in the absence of a change in dpH/dt downward arrowmax, it was considered unlikely that the dpH/dt downward arrowmax was the only humoral signal present during ;exercise'.

Ionic currents in slow twitch skeletal muscle in the rat

1. The ionic currents in slow fibres isolated from rat soleus muscle have been studied under voltage-clamp conditions with a double sucrose-gap method and the results are compared to those obtained from fast fibres isolated from the iliacus muscle. 2. The mean value of the resting potential in slow fibres is -70 mV. a value 8 mV more positive that the mean resting potential of fast fibres (-78 mV). 3. In slow muscle, a fast inward current which is blocked by tetrodotoxin and which depends on external sodium concentration is presumed to be carried by sodium ions. The characteristics of this current, which are time- and voltage-dependent, are similar to those of the iliacus fibres. From a holding potential at -86 mV, this inward current is maximal (2.6 mA/cm2 +/- 0.3) at +49.1 mV +/- 1.5 (mean +/- S.E. of mean), reverses at +127.3 mV +/- 2.2 (mean +/- S.E. of mean), and its half inactivation occurs at +23.2 mV +/- 0.8 (mean +/- S.E. of mean). 4. The delayed outward current in slow fibres is unchanged by exposure to chloride free solution and has a time course very different from that found in fast fibres. This current reaches an initial peak in 5-10 msec and a second peak or steady level after 40-150 msec. The decay of the outward current is also very different, being ten times slower than that in fast fibres (1500-3000 msec). 5. Analysis of the tail currents reveals the existence of two components of delayed current in slow fibres. The faster component reverses at a potential of 11.3 mV +/- 0.9 (mean +/- S.E. of mean) positive to the holding potential (equivalent to a membrane potential of about -75 mV), in contrast to a reversal potential of 35.4 mV +/- 2.5 (mean +/- S.E. of mean) positive to the holding potential for the slower component (equivalent to a membrane potential of about -51 mV. 6. In L-glutamate solution the characteristics of the inward-going rectification are the same in the two types of muscle.