Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter
  • Published:

Single-channel currents activated by light in Limulus ventral photoreceptors

Nature volume 304, pages 268–270 (1983)Cite this article

Abstract

Sensory stimuli alter the membrane conductance of receptor cells. Noise analysis studies in several types of receptors1–4 suggest that ionic channels mediate this change in conductance, but no direct evidence for such channels has been obtained. We have now investigated the mechanism of ion permeation underlying the light-induced conductance in the ventral photoreceptors of Limulus polyphemus by means of the patch-clamp technique5 and have resolved single-channel currents that are activated by light.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Wong, F. Nature 276, 76–79 (1978).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Lamb, T. D. & Simon, E. J. J. Physiol., Lond. 263, 257–286 (1976b).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Schwartz, E. A. J. Physiol., Lond. 272, 217–246 (1977).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. De Felice, L. J. & Alkon, D. L. Nature 269, 613–615 (1977).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Hamill, O. P., Marty, A., Neher, E., Sakmann, B. & Sigworth, F. S. Pflügers Arch. ges. Physiol. 391, 85–100 (1981).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Lisman, J. E. & Sheline, Y. J. gen. Physiol. 68, 487–501 (1976).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Stern, J., Chinn, K., Bacigalupo, J. & Lisman, J. E. J. gen. Physiol. 80, 825–838 (1982).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Calman, B. G. & Chamberlain, S. C. J. gen. Physiol. 80, 839–862 (1982).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Millecchia, R. & Mauro, A. J. gen. Physiol. 54, 331–351 (1969).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Fain, G. L. & Lisman, J. E., Prog. Biophys. molec. Biol. 37, 91–147 (1981).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Goldring, M. thesis, Brandeis Univ. (1982).

  12. Detwiler, P. B., Conner, J. D. & Bodoia, R. D. Nature 300, 59–61 (1982).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts, 02254, USA

    Juan Bacigalupo & John E. Lisman

Authors
  1. Juan Bacigalupo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. John E. Lisman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bacigalupo, J., Lisman, J. Single-channel currents activated by light in Limulus ventral photoreceptors. Nature 304, 268–270 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1038/304268a0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/304268a0

This article is cited by

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.

Search

Advanced search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing