Study of a neuronal potassium current in different culture conditions

The potassium current of neurons in explants cultured from quail mesencephalic neural crest were studied in voltage clamp, using the whole cell recording technique. Two voltage-dependent potassium currents were identified; they differed in their sensitivity to blocking agents and to sustained depolarizing voltages. The potassium current component most sensitive to 4-aminopyridine had fast activation kinetics and inactivated quickly at sustained depolarized voltages. By analogy with a current described in other preparations, this current was called IA. The current component most sensitive to tetraethylammonium had slower activation kinetics and inactivated more slowly than IA at sustained depolarized voltages. This current was called IK. The properties of IA and IK were examined in neurons cultured in a defined medium and in neurons co-cultured with striated muscle. The rate of inactivation of IA appeared to be increased when neural crest neurons were cultured in the presence of striated muscle. The change in the properties of IA could be due to a direct effect of the co-culture with muscle on the membrane current; another possibility could be that co-culture favors the survival of a neuronal population that does not survive well when cultured in a defined medium.