Hg2+ increases the open probability of carbachol-activated Cl- channels in Aplysia neurons

Carbachol and acetylcholine (ACh)-activated whole-cell chloride currents were recorded in identified neurons of Aplysia californica. Application of 0.1-10 microM HgCl2 potentiated the chloride response and reduced the rate of desensitization. To investigate the underlying mechanism we recorded single chloride channels in a cell-attached patch configuration. Recordings were performed successively on the same neuron with 1 microM carbachol and with 1 microM carbachol + 1 microM HgCl2, respectively. The slope conductance did not change significantly, but there was a manyfold increase in the open probability, Po. This may underlie the Hg(2+)-induced enhancement of carbachol- and ACh-evoked chloride currents in Aplysia neurons and may serve as a model for the neurotoxic effect of Hg2+ on the mammalian ACh receptor.