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Modulation of electrical activity in Aplysia neurones by cholesterol

Nature volume 270, pages 267–268 (1977)Cite this article

Abstract

VARIOUS hormones and drugs induce long-lasting alterations of electrical activity in certain neurones from the marine snail Aplysia californica1–5. Drugs and hormones were found to affect the lipid microviscosity of biological membranes6,7, so it is plausible that their effect on electrical activity is mediated by changes in membrane fluidity. We report here that by changing the cholesterol content of Aplysia neurones, which presumably increases its membrane microviscosity8, long term, though reversible, alterations in electrical activity are induced.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, 20014

    CATHY LAMAR STEPHENS & MEIR SHINITZKY

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  1. CATHY LAMAR STEPHENS
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  2. MEIR SHINITZKY
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STEPHENS, C., SHINITZKY, M. Modulation of electrical activity in Aplysia neurones by cholesterol. Nature 270, 267–268 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1038/270267a0

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