ISSN:
1573-4935
Keywords:
channels
;
ventricle
;
myocyte
;
voltage clamp
;
stretch receptor
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Chemistry and Pharmacology
Notes:
Abstract Patch-clamp recordings from ventricular myocytes of neonatal rats identified ionic channels that open in response to membrane stretch caused by negative pressures (1 to 6 cm Hg) in the electrode. The stretch response, consisting of markedly increased channel opening frequency, was maintained, with some variability, during long (〉40 seconds) stretch applications. The channels have a conductance averaging 120 pS in isotonic KCl, have a mean reversal potential 31 mV depolarized from resting membrane potential, and do not require external Ca++ for activation. The channels appear to be relatively non-selective for cations. Since they are gated by physiological levels of tension, stretch-activated channels may represent, a cellular control system wherein beat-to-beat tension and/or osmotic balance modulate a portion of membrane conductance.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01121637
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