Abstract
IT is becoming increasingly clear that not all neurones encode information by frequency modulation of trains of action potentials. Several sensory cells and interneurones have been identified in both vertebrates and invertebrates that transmit in an entirely nonimpulsive (or ‘nonspiking’) manner1–8. The neuropharmacology of nonimpulsive neurones can be conveniently studied on the muscle receptor of the basal joint of the crab walking leg1–3. Receptor potentials recorded intracel-lularly from the afferent neurones of this system are sodium dependent but essentially unaffected by tetrodotoxin (TTX)3. As we report here, however, veratridine mediates a sodium dependent increase in membrane conductance in these neurones that is potently blocked by TTX. Thus, exposure to veratridine evidently sensitises the nonimpulsive membrane to the effects of TTX.
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
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bush, B. M. H. Structure and Function of Proprioceptors in the Invertebrates (ed. Mill, P. J.) 115–151 (Chapman & Hall, London, 1976).
Ripley, S. H., Bush, B. M. H. & Roberts, A. Nature 218, 1170–1171 (1968).
Roberts, A. & Bush, B. M. H. J. exp. Biol. 54, 515–524 (1971).
Burrows, M. & Siegler, M. V. S. Nature 262, 222–224 (1976).
Pearson, K. G. Simpler Networks and Behaviour (ed. Fentress, J. C.) 99–110 (Sinauer, Sunderland, Massachusetts, 1976).
Schmitt, F. O., Dev, P. & Smith, B. H. Science 193, 114–120 (1976).
Shepherd, G. M. Physiol. Rev. 52, 864–917 (1972).
Werblin, F. S. & Dowling, J. E. J. Neurophysiol. 32, 339–355 (1969).
Narahashi, T. Physiol. Rev. 54, 813–889 (1974).
Ohta, M., Narahashi, T. & Keeler, R. F. J. Pharmac. exp. Ther. 184, 143–154 (1973).
Wellhöner, H. H. Naunyn-Schmiedebergs Archs Pharmak. 267, 185–188 (1970).
Lowe, D. A., Richardson, B. P., Taylor, P. & Donatsch, P. Nature 260, 337–338 (1976).
Donatsch, P., Lowe, D. A., Richardson, B. P. & Taylor, P. J. Physiol., Lond. 267, 357–376 (1977).
Catterall, W. A. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 72, 1782–1786 (1975).
Hille, B., J. gen. Physiol. 51, 199–219 (1968).
Narahashi, T. in The Nervous System 1, (ed. Tower, D. B.) 101–110 (Raven, New York, 1975).
Ritchie, J. M. & Rogart, R. B. Rev. Physiol. Biochem. Pharmac. 79, 1–50 (1977).
Ulbricht, W. Rev. Physiol. 61, 18–71 (1969).
Hengstenberg, R. Nature 270, 338–340 (1977).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
LOWE, D., BUSH, B. & RIPLEY, S. Pharmacological evidence for ‘fast’ sodium channels in nonspiking neurones. Nature 274, 289–290 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1038/274289a0
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/274289a0
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.
