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Published on: May 25, 2011
Tetrodotoxin-sensitive ion channels characterized in glial and neuronal cells from rat brain
Abstract:
Ion channels were studied in primary neuronal and in primary glial cultures from rat brain by measuring the uptake of guanidinium, an ion that can permeate the Na+ channel. Neuronal cells exhibit a veratridine-stimulated (EC50 30 microM) guanidinium uptake, which is blocked by tetrodotoxin (IC50 30nM). This demonstrates the presence of a voltage-dependent Na+ channel. In glial cells veratridine + scorpion toxin, but not veratridine or scorpion toxin alone can stimulate a tetrodotoxin-sensitive ion uptake, thus indicating a 'silent' Na+ channel in the glial cells. Phentolamine, propranolol and various local anesthetic drugs (e.g. tetracaine, dibucaine) blocked the two different kinds of Na+ channels in the two cell populations investigated.
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