Slowly activating K+ channels in rat olfactory receptor neurons
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Updated: Oct 23, 2026

Odorant-induced Responses Recorded from Olfactory Receptor Neurons using the Suction Pipette Technique
Published on: April 5, 2012
1School of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Australia.
Abstract:
Patch-clamp techniques were used to investigate slowly activating, Ca(2+)-insensitive K+ channels of isolated rat olfactory receptor neurons. These channels had a unitary conductance of 135 pS and were only found in a small proportion (less than 5%) of membrane patches. Upon depolarization to voltages more positive than -50 mV, the channels activated gradually over a period of at least 10 s. When hyperpolarized to negative voltages, channel activity deactivated in a slow but voltage-dependent manner. These channels may underlie a slowly activating K+ current that is observed in approximately 30% of whole-cell recordings. Similar single channels have been reported in smooth muscle cells, but this is the first demonstration of these channels in any type of neuron. The channels may contribute to the spike frequency adaptation and post-stimulus hyperpolarization that are observed during the excitatory response to odorants. They may also contribute to cell repolarization following large odorant-stimulated receptor currents.
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