The effects of tetraphenylboron on spontaneous transmitter release at the frog neuromuscular junction

1 The effects of tetraphenylboron (TPB) on spontaneous transmitter release were studied in the frog sartorius muscle preparation. 2 TPB (0.001-1 mM) produced a time-dependent increase in miniature endplate potential (m.e.p.p.) activity that was not sustained. TPB (0.1 mM) produced similar effects on m.e.p.p. frequency in normal Ringer solutions, in the absence of Ca2+ or Cl- and in the presence of excess Ca2+ and of tetrodotoxin. The effect of TPB (0.01 mM) was reduced but not abolished in the absence of Ca2+. 3 As m.e.p.p. frequency fell from its peak level in TPB (0.04 mM) m.e.p.p. amplitude was reduced. The reduction of m.e.p.p. amplitude was not prevented by choline (30-300 muM). 4 When m.e.p.p. activity fell below the noise level in the presence of TPB (0.1 mM), lanthanum (0.5 mM) was ineffective in promoting measurable m.e.p.p. activity. 5 The effects of TPB were slowly reversible by washing. 6 The results indicate that TPB acts to reduce the nerve terminal stores of acetylcholine, probably by a combination of rapid release and concomitant inhibition of transmitter storage.