Post-tetanic hyperpolarization and electrogenic Na pump in stretch receptor neurone of crayfish

J Physiol. 1966 Nov;187(1):105-27. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.1966.sp008078.

Abstract

1. Two types of after-potentials in the stretch receptor neurone of crayfish are described.2. A short-duration after-hyperpolarization associated with a single spike or a few spikes is diminished and reversed on applying hyperpolarizing currents. However, a much longer-lasting post-tetanic hyperpolarization (PTH) is enhanced by conditioning hyperpolarization; thus, no reversal potential can be obtained.3. No changes in membrane conductance occur during PTH.4. Reducing K concentration in the bathing fluid diminishes PTH, while it shifts the reversal potential of the short after-potential toward greater negativity.5. Replacement of Na with Li, or addition of 2,4-dinitrophenol in the bathing fluid suppresses PTH in a reversible manner.6. Electrophoretic injection of Na into the cell induces a long-lasting hyperpolarization.7. No change in K-equilibrium potential, as indicated by the reversal point of the short after-potential, is detected during PTH.8. It is concluded that the short after-potential is caused by a permeability increase for potassium ion, whereas PTH is produced by an electrogenic Na-pump.

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials
  • Animals
  • Biological Transport*
  • Cell Membrane Permeability
  • Crustacea
  • Dinitrophenols / pharmacology
  • Lithium / pharmacology
  • Membrane Potentials
  • Muscle Contraction / physiology*
  • Muscle Spindles / physiology
  • Neuromuscular Junction / physiology
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Potassium / pharmacology*
  • Sensory Receptor Cells / physiology*
  • Sodium / metabolism*

Substances

  • Dinitrophenols
  • Lithium
  • Sodium
  • Potassium