POTASSIUM CURRENTS IN ADULT-RAT INTRACARDIAC NEURONS

Properties of K+ currents were studied in isolated adult rat parasympathetic intracardiac neurones with the use of single-electrode voltage-clamp techniques. A hyperpolarization-activated inward rectifier current was revealed when the membrane was clamped close to the resting level (-60 mV). The slowly developing inward relaxation had a mean amplitude of 450 pA at -150 mV, an activation threshold of -60 to -70 mV and a relaxation time constant of 41 ms at -120 mV. The current was reversibly blocked by Cs+ (1 mM) and became smaller with reduced [K+](0) and [Na+](0), indicating that this inward rectifier current probably is a time- and voltage-dependent Na+-K+ current. 3. Step depolarizations from the holding potential of -80 mV evoked a transient (< 100 ms at -40 mV) outward K+ current (I-A) which was blocked by 4-aminopyridine (4-AP, 1 mM). The time constants for I-A inactivation were 20 ms at -50 mV and 16 ms at -20 mV. The steady-state activation and (removal of) inactivation curve showed a small overlap between -70 and -40 mV; the reversal potential of I-A was close to E(K). 4. Step hyperpolarizations from the depolarized potentials, i.e. -30 mV, revealed a slow inward relaxation associated with the deactivation of a time- and voltage-dependent current. The inward relaxation became faster at more hyperpolarized potentials and reversed at -85 and -53 mV in 4.7 and 15 mM [K+](0). This current was blocked by muscarine (20 mu m) and Ba2+ (1 mM) but not affected by Cs+(1 mM) this current may correspond to the M-current (I-M). 5. Depolarization-activated outward K+ currents were evoked by holding the membrane close to the resting potential in the presence of tetrodotoxin (TTX, 3 mu m), 4-AP (1 mM) and Ba2+ (1 mM). The amplitude of the outward relaxation and the tail current became smaller as the [K+](0) was elevated. The outward tail current was reduced in a Ca2+-free solution and the residual current was eliminated by the addition of tetraethylammonium (TEA, 10 mM); the reversal potential was shifted in a direction predicted by the Nernst eciuation. These findings suggest the presence of delayed rectifier K+ current and Ca2+-activated K+ current. 6. Superfusion of TEA, Ba2+ and 4-AP, but not Cs+, induced rhythmic discharges in some of the otherwise quiescent intracardiac neurones. 7. It is concluded that several K+ conductances are present in adult rat intracardiac neurones and these currents working in concert endow the neurones with a multitude of mechanisms to ensure proper membrane excitability and firing pattern.