Comparative studies of single Na-channels in different neuroblastoma cell lines

Single sodium channel currents were compared in two neuroblastoma (N1E 115, N18) and in two neuroblastoma x glioma (108CC5, 108CC15) hybrid clonal cell lines. Similar single channel parameters were reached from every cell line. The single channel conductance was 11 pS for N1E 115 and N18 cells, and was 10 pS for both hybrid cells at 7-8 degrees C. Except for N18 cells, the amplitude histograms could be best fitted by the sum of two Gaussian functions. The mean channel open time was 1.5-2.0 ms for N1E 115 and the hybrid cells and it was shorter than 1 ms for N18 cells. Open time histograms from N18 cells could be fitted by a single exponential at most potentials, but the sum of two exponentials resulted in a best fit for N1E 115 and the hybrid cells. Differentiation of N1E 115 cells elicited by dibutyryl cAMP instead of dimethylsulfoxide caused only a slight increase in the single channel conductance and open time. The results indicate a certain uniformity of the sodium channels in these cell line.