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Effect of ions on the light-sensitive current in retinal rods

Nature volume 292, pages 502–505 (1981)Cite this article

Abstract

The effect of ions on the light-sensitive current of retinal rods was studied by sucking the inner segment into a tightly fitting capillary with the outer segment projecting into a flowing solution. This new method showed that the light-sensitive pathway, in which Na+ is them normal carrier of current, has an ionic selectivity different from that of other known sodium channels. External calcium has a striking effect on the current, which increased about 20-fold when all calcium was removed. Reducing the sodium concentration gradient greatly prolonged the response to a flash of light, as would be expected if internal calcium blocks sodium channels and if light releases calcium which is subsequently extruded by a sodium–calcium exchange mechanism.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Physiological Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK

    K.-W. Yau, P. A. McNaughton & A. L. Hodgkin

  2. Department of Physiology and Biophysics, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, 77550, USA

    K.-W. Yau, P. A. McNaughton & A. L. Hodgkin

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  1. K.-W. Yau
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  2. P. A. McNaughton
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  3. A. L. Hodgkin
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Yau, KW., McNaughton, P. & Hodgkin, A. Effect of ions on the light-sensitive current in retinal rods. Nature 292, 502–505 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1038/292502a0

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