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Updated: Sep 21, 2026

Patch-clamp Capacitance Measurements and Ca2+ Imaging at Single Nerve Terminals in Retinal Slices
09:16

Patch-clamp Capacitance Measurements and Ca2+ Imaging at Single Nerve Terminals in Retinal Slices

Published on: January 19, 2012

[Properties of membrane ionic currents in pituitary clone cells]

B Dufy, J Barker

    Comptes Rendus Des Seances De La Societe De Biologie Et De Ses Filiales
    |January 1, 1983
    PubMed

    Insights

    GH3 pituitary cells exhibit calcium-dependent inward currents and three distinct outward currents. These include a transient 4-aminopyridine-sensitive current and two voltage-dependent delayed outward currents, one of which is calcium-activated potassium conductance.

    Area of Science:

    • Neuroscience
    • Cell Biology
    • Electrophysiology

    Context:

    • GH3 pituitary cells are a commonly used model for studying neuroendocrine function.
    • Understanding ionic currents is crucial for characterizing cell excitability and signaling.

    Purpose:

    • To characterize the membrane ionic currents in GH3 pituitary cells using voltage clamp techniques.
    • To identify the ion carriers and pharmacological properties of these currents.

    Summary:

    • Voltage clamp studies revealed a calcium (Ca2+)-dependent inward current in GH3 cells, blocked by cobalt ions (Co2+).
    • Three distinct outward currents were identified: a transient 4-aminopyridine (4-AP)-sensitive current and two voltage-dependent delayed outward currents.
    • One delayed outward current was sensitive to tetraethylammonium (TEA), while the other, blocked by Co2+, represented a calcium-activated potassium (K+) conductance.

    Impact:

    • Provides a detailed electrophysiological profile of GH3 pituitary cells.
    • Contributes to understanding the mechanisms of hormone secretion and cellular excitability in endocrine cells.
    • Offers insights into the specific roles of different ion channels in pituitary cell function.

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