Possible reduction of surface charge by a mutation in Paramecium tetraurelia

Under voltage clamp, a mutant of Paramecium tetraurelia (teaB) shows a shift in the positive direction of the voltage sensitivity of the Ca conductance and the depolarization inactivation curve by 10 mV with no change in the total conductance. This effect can be mimicked in the wild type by the addition of external CA2+ or Mg2+. The mutation also shifts the resting potential and the voltage sensitivities of the delayed rectification (depolarization-sensitive) K conductance and the anomalous rectification (hyperpolarization-sensitive) K conductance in the positive direction to a similar extent. This systematic shift of channel voltage sensitivities is best explained by the reduction of the surface negative charges of the membrane due to the mutation.