A sodium leak current regulates pacemaker activity of adult central pattern generator neurons in Lymnaea stagnalis.

ABSTRACT: The resting membrane potential of the pacemaker neurons is one of the essential mechanisms underlying rhythm generation. In this study, we described the biophysical properties of an uncharacterized channel (U-type channel) and investigated the role of the channel in the rhythmic activity of a respiratory pacemaker neuron and the respiratory behaviour in adult freshwater snail Lymnaea stagnalis. Our results show that the channel conducts an inward leak current carried by Na(+) (I(Leak-Na)). The I(Leak-Na) contributed to the resting membrane potential and was required for maintaining rhythmic action potential bursting activity of the identified pacemaker RPeD1 neurons. Partial knockdown of the U-type channel suppressed the aerial respiratory behaviour of the adult snail in vivo. These findin

SUBMITTER: Lu TZ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3079709 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature