Characterization of slow postsynaptic K+ current of Aplysia LUQ neurons in culture

We have characterized the slow inhibitory synaptic connection between an left upper quadrant (LUQ) neuron and neuron L10, L12 or L13 in culture. A slow postsynaptic outward current in the LUQ neuron was elicited by repetitive firing of the co-cultured cholinergic neuron L10 as well as neuron L12 or L13 which were not cholinergic but FMRFamide synthesizing neurons. This outward current was due to an increase in K+ conductance and was relatively insensitive to external application of tetraethylammonium and 4-aminopyridine. We also investigated the effects of injection of a guanosine 5'-triphosphate (GTP) analogue into the LUQ neuron and extracellular application of serotonin and an adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) analogue on the current. In all the investigated properties, no significant difference was found among neuron L10, L12 and L13 as a presynaptic neuron. The slow postsynaptic current appeared to be virtually identical to the FMRFamide or acetylcholine (ACh)-induced K+ current reported in vivo, which resembled the 'S' current in Aplysia sensory neurons. We performed experiments to see the effect of phenyltrimethylammonium, an ACh antagonist, on the postsynaptic, ACh-, and FMRFamide-induced currents, clearly indicating that the neurotransmitter used in the cultured synapses was not ACh.