Effect of amiloride on the poorly selective cation channel of larval bullfrog skin

A small, inward-directed, short-circuit current (SCC) was measured across the isolated skin of larval bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana) when either NaCl or KCl Ringer solution bathed the mucosal surface. The addition of amiloride, in concentrations of 1-100 microM, produced a stepwise increase in SCC. As SCC values became maximally elevated by amiloride, the plateau value (So) of the Lorentzian component in the power-density spectrum increased, whereas the corner frequency (fc) decreased. This agonist effect of amiloride can be explained by an increase in the open probability and possibly the single-channel current of the larval channel. When the amiloride concentration was increased above 100 microM, the SCC values declined progressively but usually remained above pretreatment values. This suggests an antagonist effect of amiloride that is concurrent with the agonist effect. The removal of Ca2+ from the mucosal Ringers increased SCC in conjunction with an increase in So and a decrease in fc. Under these conditions, the maximal agonist effect of amiloride was observed at concentrations of 10-20 microM. Ca2+ thus exerts an inhibitory effect on the larval cation channel that interferes with the agonist effect of amiloride. The addition of Ba2+ to Ca2+-free preparations lowered SCC and reduced the agonist effect of amiloride.