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Related Experiment Videos

Spontaneous activity regulates calcium-dependent K+ current expression in developing ascidian muscle

J E Dallman1, A K Davis, W J Moody

  • 1Department of Zoology, Box 351800, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-1800, USA.

The Journal of Physiology
|August 26, 1998
PubMed
Summary

Embryonic ascidian muscle cells exhibit spontaneous action potentials during a critical developmental window. This electrical activity is essential for the proper development of calcium-activated potassium currents (IK(Ca)).

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Area of Science:

  • Developmental biology
  • Neuroscience
  • Ion channel physiology

Background:

  • Ascidian embryonic muscle cells undergo significant electrical changes during development.
  • Outward potassium currents (IKv) and calcium-activated potassium currents (IK(Ca)) emerge sequentially.
  • A transient downregulation of the inward rectifier potassium current (IK(IR)) precedes spontaneous activity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prediction of spontaneous electrical activity in embryonic ascidian muscle.
  • To determine the role of this spontaneous activity in muscle cell development.
  • To elucidate the specific ion channel development influenced by electrical activity.

Main Methods:

  • Cell-attached patch-clamp recordings to monitor electrical activity.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Application of cadmium ions (Cd2+) to block calcium channels and activity.
  • Use of transcription blockers to assess gene expression dependence.
  • Analysis of inward calcium currents (ICa) and various potassium currents (IKv, IK(Ca), IK(IR)).

    • Main Results:

    • Embryonic ascidian muscle cells generate spontaneous action potentials during a specific 6-hour window.
    • Blocking electrical activity with Cd2+ prevented the development of calcium-activated potassium currents (IK(Ca)).
    • The development of IK(Ca) was dependent on spontaneous activity, while IK(IR) and ICa development were not.
    • Transcription blockers indicated a sensitive period for gene expression during the activity window, but only IK(Ca) development was activity-dependent.

    Conclusions:

    • Spontaneous electrical activity in embryonic ascidian muscle is a crucial event for muscle cell development.
    • The development of calcium-activated potassium currents (IK(Ca)) is critically dependent on this activity.
    • While transcription is necessary for several channel types, activity itself specifically drives IK(Ca) maturation.