Presynaptic calcium-activated potassium channels and calcium channels at a crayfish neuromuscular junction

1. We used a two-microelectrode current clamp to investigate various characteristics of the Ca(2+)-activated K+ conductance [gK(Ca)] and Ca2+ conductance (gCa), and transmitter release in presynaptic terminals of excitatory neuromuscular junctions in the crayfish walking leg. 2. Voltage-activated Na+ conductances (gNa) and K+ conductances [gK(v)] were blocked with tetrodotoxin and 3,4-diaminopyridine, respectively. Under these conditions, presynaptic depolarization produced by a first (conditioning) pulse admitted Ca2+ into the presynaptic terminals and activated gK(Ca), which modulated the amplitude of the depolarization produced by a second (test) pulse. The relative amount of gK(Ca) measured at the test pulse increased with increased magnitude or duration of the conditioning pulse. 3. A brief hyperpolarization immediately after a conditioning pulse substantially reduced gK(Ca). 4. gK(Ca) activation was blocked by funnel web spider toxin (a Ca2+ channel blocker) or by injection of the presynaptic terminal region with a calcium chelator, bis-(o-aminophenoxy)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA). Under current-clamp conditions, gK(Ca) was not blocked by charybdotoxin or iberiotoxin [specific gK(Ca) blockers]. 5. When gK(Ca) was blocked or reduced, the amplitude of the depolarizing afterpotential of action potentials was increased. When gK(v) was blocked or reduced, the duration of action potentials was increased. 6. Intracellular injection of BAPTA into the presynaptic terminal region eliminated evoked neurotransmitter release before test pulse modulation was affected, suggesting that the K(Ca) channel had a greater sensitivity (greater affinity or lower stoichiometry) for Ca2+ than did the transmitter release machinery. BAPTA reduced neurotransmitter release by 66-78%, but did not affect facilitation of neurotransmitter release. 7. When gNa, gK(v), and gK(Ca) were blocked, we detected a membrane depolarization produced by an increase in presynaptic gCa that was eliminated by 2 mM Cd2+ or 0 mM Ca2+.