Comparative development of end-plate currents in two muscles of Xenopus laevis

The development of miniature end-plate currents (m.e.p.c.s) was studied in the superior oblique and interhyoideus muscles of Xenopus laevis. An analysis of m.e.p.c. decays shows that each muscle possesses its own characteristic programme of end-plate current development. In the superior oblique, the exponential decay constants of m.e.p.c.s were initially about 3 ms; they declined within half a day to 1 ms and remained at that value for six weeks. They then gradually became longer, reaching a mean value of 1.7 ms at late metamorphosis. In the interhyoideus, m.e.p.c. decay constants were initially about 6 ms. They declined in less than one day to a mean value of 2.6 ms and remained there for the following seven weeks. Upon completion of metamorphosis, the decay constants underwent a further decrease to about 1 ms. In both muscles, the changes in m.e.p.c. decays were correlated with developmental changes in muscle contraction speeds, as measured by maximum twitch frequencies. The above changes in end-plate currents in the superior oblique and interhyoideus muscles are discussed in terms of the development of acetylcholine receptor channel gating and acetylcholinesterase activity.