Kainate activated single channel currents as revealed by domoic acid

We have studied the properties of kainic acid receptor-activated channels using domoic acid as an agonist. Similarities of the electrophysiological, pharmacological and noise properties of domoic acid and kainic acid-evoked currents confirm that domoate is a potent and specific agonist of the kainate receptor. Single-channel properties of domoic acid-evoked currents were directly determined from outside-out membrane patches for the first time, and results were compared with those obtained by fluctuation analysis of macroscopic currents. Small conductance cationic-selective channels of approximately 4 pS and a mean open time of 2 to 3 ms were detected using both methods.