Document Type
Article
Journal Title
BMC neuroscience
Publication Date
Winter 12-5-2004
Volume
5
Abstract
BACKGROUND: GABAergic inhibition and effects of intracellular chloride ions on calcium channel activity have been proposed to regulate neurotransmission from photoreceptors. To assess the impact of these and other chloride-dependent mechanisms on release from cones, the chloride equilibrium potential (ECl) was determined in red-sensitive, large single cones from the tiger salamander retinal slice.
RESULTS: Whole cell recordings were done using gramicidin perforated patch techniques to maintain endogenous Cl- levels. Membrane potentials were corrected for liquid junction potentials. Cone resting potentials were found to average -46 mV. To measure ECl, we applied long depolarizing steps to activate the calcium-activated chloride current (ICl(Ca)) and then determined the reversal potential for the current component that was inhibited by the Cl- channel blocker, niflumic acid. With this method, ECl was found to average -46 mV. In a complementary approach, we used a Cl-sensitive dye, MEQ, to measure the Cl- flux produced by depolarization with elevated concentrations of K+. The membrane potentials produced by the various high K+ solutions were measured in separate current clamp experiments. Consistent with electrophysiological experiments, MEQ fluorescence measurements indicated that ECl was below -36 mV.
CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that ECl is close to the dark resting potential. This will minimize the impact of chloride-dependent presynaptic mechanisms in cone terminals involving GABAa receptors, glutamate transporters and ICl(Ca).
MeSH Headings
Ambystoma, Animals, Chloride Channels, Chlorides, Electric Conductivity, Membrane Potentials, Patch-Clamp Techniques, Retinal Cone Photoreceptor Cells
DOI Link
ISSN
1471-2202
Rights
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 License. Creative Commons Attribution License 2.0
Recommended Citation
Thoreson, Wallace B. and Bryson, Eric J., "Chloride equilibrium potential in salamander cones." (2004). Journal Articles: Ophthalmology. 54.
https://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/com_eye_articles/54