Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Voltage sensitive calcium entry in frog motoneurones.

F J Alvarez-Leefmans, R Miledi

    The Journal of Physiology
    |November 1, 1980
    PubMed
    Summary

    This study reveals that frog motoneurone membranes generate TTX-resistant regenerative responses dependent on calcium or strontium influx through voltage-sensitive channels. These findings shed light on novel neuronal excitability mechanisms.

    Related Concept Videos

    You might also read

    Related Articles

    Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

    Sort by
    Same author

    TMEM16A alternative splicing isoforms in Xenopus tropicalis: distribution and functional properties.

    Biochemical and biophysical research communications·2014
    Same author

    Anion permeation in calcium-activated chloride channels formed by TMEM16A from Xenopus tropicalis.

    Pflugers Archiv : European journal of physiology·2013
    Same author

    A hyperpolarization-activated ion current of amphibian oocytes.

    Pflugers Archiv : European journal of physiology·2013
    Same author

    Strontium as a substitute for calcium in the process of transmitter release at the neuromuscular junction.

    Nature·2010
    Same author

    Miniature synaptic potentials in squid nerve cells.

    Nature·2010
    Same author

    Input-output relation of a single synapse.

    Nature·2010

    Area of Science:

    • Neuroscience
    • Electrophysiology
    • Cellular Biology

    Background:

    • Motoneurone electrical properties are crucial for motor control.
    • Understanding neuronal excitability mechanisms is fundamental in neuroscience.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the electrical properties of frog motoneurone membranes.
    • To characterize TTX-resistant regenerative responses and their ionic basis.

    Main Methods:

    • Intracellular recording techniques in isolated frog spinal cord preparations.
    • Application of tetrodotoxin (TTX) and tetraethylammonium (TEA) to block sodium and potassium channels, respectively.
    • Voltage-clamp analysis to study ionic currents.

    Main Results:

    • TTX blocked normal action potentials, while TTX + TEA revealed prolonged regenerative depolarizations.
    • These responses were dependent on external calcium (Ca2+) or strontium (Sr2+) influx.
    • The responses persisted in Na+-free media and were blocked by Co2+, indicating Ca2+/Sr2+ channel involvement.
    • A TTX/TEA-resistant hyperpolarization followed Ca2+/Sr2+ spikes, potentially due to increased K+ conductance.

    Conclusions:

    • Frog motoneurones exhibit TTX-resistant regenerative responses mediated by Ca2+ or Sr2+ influx through distinct voltage-sensitive channels.
    • These findings expand our understanding of neuronal excitability beyond Na+-dependent action potentials.
    • The study identifies a novel mechanism for generating neuronal electrical activity involving divalent cations.

    Related Experiment Videos