Potassium rectifications of the starfish oocyte membrane and their changes during oocyte maturation

1. The current-voltage relations of the oocyte membrane of the starfish, Asterina pectinifera, and their changes during maturation were investigated using current-clamp techniques. 2. The resting potential of the oocyte membrane in sea water was found to be determined by the diffusion potential of K ions. 3. In the absence of Na and Ca inward currents the steady-state current-voltage relation of the oocyte membrane had inward-going K rectification at membrane potentials more negative than -65 mV and outward-going K rectification at potentials more positive than -30 mV, forming a S-shaped I-V curve. 4. A negative resistance region of the steady-state I-V curve was revealed with voltage-clamp technique in the potential range between -65 and -30 mV. 5. Transient K activation occurred when the membrane was brought from a resting potential of about -75 mV to potentials more positive than -20 mV, and this was immediately followed by K inactivation. Accordingly, the steady-state I-V relation showed only slight outward-going rectification. 6. At the beginning of meiosis, which is signalled by break-down of the nucleus, the limiting slope conductance in the inward rectifying region of the I-V curve decreased sevenfold. The cell membrane lost its selective permeability to K ions and was depolarized from -70 to between -20 and OmV in standard artificial sea-water. The depolarized resting potential was partly due to the relative increase in Na permeability. K conductance began to increase again within 30 min after breakdown of the nucleus. The resting potential became gradually larger and eventually attained -70 mV in the mature egg. 7. In the mature egg, K activation upon depolarization was no longer followed by inactivation. Accordingly, the slope conductance in the outward rectifying region of the I-V curve increased. 8. The action potential was augmented at the stage of nuclear breakdown. Thereafter the maximum rate of rise decreased and the duration of the action potential shortened. These changes were caused primarily by changes in K conductance during maturation. 9. Fertilization of the egg during the maturation process did not affect the changes in the I-V relation described above, except for a transient change of the membrane permeability upon fertilization.