Sodium-gated cation channel implicated in the activation of lobster
olfactory receptor neurons.
Aslbek B. Zhainazarov, Richard E. Doolin, and Barry W. Ache.
Whitney Laboratory and Depts. of Zoology and Neuroscience, Univ. of
Florida, St. Augustine, FL 32086-8623.
APStracts 4:313N, 1997.
ABSTRACT
The role of Na+-activated channels in cellular function, if any, is still
elusive. We have attempted to implicate a Na+-activated nonselective cation
channel in the activation of lobster olfactory receptor neurons. We show that
a Na+-activated channel occurs in the odor-detecting outer dendrites. Using
pharmacological blockers of the channel together with ion substitution, we
show that a substantial part of the odor-evoked depolarization in these cells
can be ascribed to a Na+-activated conductance. We hypothesize, therefore,
that the Na+-activated channel amplifies the receptor current as a result of
being secondarily activated by the primary odor transduction pathway.
Received 18 September 1997; accepted in final form 4 November 1997.
APS Manuscript Number J769-7.
Article publication pending J. Neurophysiol.
ISSN 1080-4757 Copyright 1997 The American Physiological Society.
Published in APStracts on 14 November 1997