Evidence for interactions between batrachotoxin-modified channels in hybrid neuroblastoma cells

Current records from voltage-clamped membrane patches containing two batrachotoxin-modified sodium channels were analyzed to determine whether these channels are identical and independent. In most two-channel patches, the experimentally observed probabilities that zero, one, or two channels are open differ from the binomial distribution, demonstrating that the two channels are nonidentical or nonindependent or both. From the same current records, we also determined the rate for the transition from two open channels to one open channel and for the transition from one open channel to zero open channels. These data are consistent with closing rates for the two channels that are equal and independent. Both probability and closing rate data can be fit by a model wherein the channels are identical, the closing rates are independent, and the opening rate is greater when the other channel is closed than when it is open. The implications of this model for analyzing noise spectra and current variance are examined.