Abstract
IN recent years evidence has accumulated that part of the membrane potential of some cells can be due to the activity of an electrogenic sodium pump1–7. This pump can have its activity increased by neurochemical transmitters8–12 or decreased by light stimulating a photo-receptor13. This communication describes the responses of two identified neurones in the right parietal ganglia of the snail Helix aspersa. Both cells are hyperpolarized by acetylcholine (ACh). In Type I the action of ACh is to increase the membrane permeability to chloride ions and so bring the membrane potential towards EC1. In the other cell (Type II) the effect of ACh is slowly to increase the membrane permeability to sodium ions, and the increased sodium concentration of the neurone stimulates the electrogenic sodium pump and so hyperpolarizes the cell.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Rent or buy this article
Prices vary by article type
from$1.95
to$39.95
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Born, G. V. R., and Bulbring, E., J. Physiol., 131, 690 (1956).
Kernan, R. P., J. Physiol., 162, 129 (1962).
Ritchie, J. M., and Straub, R. W., J. Physiol., 136, 80 (1957).
Connelly, C. M., Rev. Mod. Physics, 31, 475 (1959).
Kerkut, G. A., and Thomas, R. C., Comp. Biochem. Physiol., 14, 167 (1965).
Carpenter, D. O., and Alving, B. O., J. Gen. Physiol., 52, 1 (1968).
Thomas, R. C., J. Physiol., 201, 495 (1969).
Burnstock, G., J. Physiol., 143, 183 (1958).
Nishi, S., and Koketsu, K., J. Neurophysiol., 31, 717 (1968).
Ascher, P., J. Physiol., 198, 48P (1968).
Kerkut, G. A., Brown, L. C., and Walker, R. J., Life Sci., 8, i, 297 (1969).
Pinsker, H., and Kandel, E., Science, 163, 931 (1969).
Smith, T. G., and Stell, W. K., Science, 162, 456 (1968).
Eccles, J. C., The Physiology of Synapses (Springer, Berlin, 1963).
Kerkut, G. A., and York, B., Comp. Biochem. Physiol., 28, 1125 (1969).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
KERKUT, G., BROWN, L. & WALKER, R. Cholinergic IPSP by Stimulation of the Electrogenic Sodium Pump. Nature 223, 864–865 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1038/223864a0
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/223864a0
This article is cited by
-
The effect of physostigmine on (Na++K+)-ATPase activity in different rat brain regions
Experientia (1980)
-
Intercellular potentials of CNS neurons in the pteropod molluskClione limacina
Neuroscience and Behavioral Physiology (1973)
-
Re-evaluation of the Synaptic Activation of an Electrogenic Sodium Pump
Nature (1970)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.