Intracellular Mg2+ modulates the A-current and its blockage by catechol in isolated Lymnaea neurons

The effects of intracellular Mg2+ (2-8 mM) upon the transient outward current (the A-current) under normal conditions and under catechol-induced blockage were studied in molluscan neurons by using the voltage-clamp and intracellular dialysis techniques. Identified giant Lymnaea stagnalis L. neurons were investigated at room temperature (20-22 degrees C). When applied intracellularly, Mg2+ caused both time- and dose-dependent shifts of the voltage dependence of the steady-state activation and inactivation of the A-current to more negative membrane potentials. Upon external application, catechol suppressed (5-6 mM) or eliminated (9-10 mM) the A-currents, slowed down the current decay and shifted the activation and inactivation curves to more positive membrane voltages. Intracellular Mg2+ decreased the blocking ability of extracellularly applied catechol, whereas catechol antagonized the Mg2(+)-induced negative shift of the steady-state activation and inactivation curves of the A-currents.