Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Recording Electrical Activity from Identified Neurons in the Intact Brain of Transgenic Fish
Published on: April 30, 2013
Tetrodotoxin-resistant persistent Na+ current underlying pacemaker potentials of fish gonadotrophin-releasing hormone
1Zoological Institute, Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo, Japan.
Abstract:
1. Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-immunoreactive terminal nerve (TN) cells show endogenous regular beating discharges, which may be related to their putative neuromodulator functions. The ionic mechanism underlying the pacemaker potential was studied using intracellular and patch-pipette current clamp recordings from a whole brain in vitro preparation of a small fish brain. 2. The pacemaker potentials were resistant to 1.5-3 microM tetrodotoxin (TTX) and were not affected by Ca2+ channel blockers (amiloride, Ni2+, Co2+, Cd2+) or in Ca(2+)-free solution. In contrast, the pacemaker potentials were readily blocked by substituting tetramethylammonium or choline for Na+ in the perfusing solution, and the resting membrane potential became more hyperpolarized than the control level. 3. The present results suggest that the TTX-resistant persistent Na+ current, INa(slow), supplies the persistent depolarizing drive and plays an important role in the generation of pacemaker potentials in TN GnRH cells.
Related Concept Videos
Action Potentials
The Resting Membrane Potential
Resting Membrane Potential
The Inside of a Neuron is More Negative
The membrane potential of a cell can be measured by inserting a microelectrode into a cell and comparing the charge to a reference electrode in the extracellular fluid. The...
Action Potential
Membrane potential in neurons
Neurons typically have a resting membrane potential of about -70 millivolts (mV). When they receive...
Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism
Action Potential
Membrane potential in neurons
Neurons typically have a resting membrane potential of about -70 millivolts (mV). When they receive...

