Microelectrode studies of Necturus antral mucosa: electrical potentials and resistances

Intracellular microelectrode techniques were applied to Necturus antral mucosa. Stable intracellular impalements were obtained with 15-50 M omega microelectrodes filled with 3M KCl. It was possible to change rapidly the mucosal bathing solution while maintaining the microelectrode in the cell. With these techniques, we were able to measure the electrical potentials and resistances of the cell membranes and the shunt pathway. The transepithelial potential was -4.9 +/- 1.3 mV, serosal solution reference. Apical cell membrane potential was -43.9 +/- 0.6 mV, cell negative to the mucosal solution. Basolateral cell membrane potential was -48.8 +/- 1.3 mV, cell negative to serosal solution. Transepithelial resistance was 427 +/- 66 omega . cm2. The ratio of apical to basolateral membrane resistances was 3.4 +/- 0.3. The electrical resistances of the transcellular and paracellular pathway were determined by the measurement of the total transepithelial resistance and the ratio of apical to basolateral cell membrane resistances before and after blocking apical membrane sodium permeability with amiloride. The resistances of the apical cell membrane, basolateral cell membrane, and the shunt were 2,203 +/- 585, 1,296 +/- 384, and 604 +/- 81 omega . cm2, respectively (mean +/- SE). Calculations from these measurements indicate that the shunt contribution to transepithelial conductance was approximately 85%.