Biophysical Journal 50: 1095-1100 (1986)
© 1986 the Biophysical Society

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Is the K permeability of the resting membrane controlled by the excitable K channel?

ABSTRACT

To test whether or not the potassium permeability of the resting membrane is controlled by the excitable K channels (delayed rectifier), we examined changes in the Na and K permeability ratio, PNa/PK, of the squid axon before and after the excitable K channels were blocked. The blockage of the K channels was accomplished by three independent methods: internal application of tetraethylammonium, internal application of 4-aminopyridine plus Cs, and prolong internal perfusion of NaF solution. The permeability ratio was determined using two different methods: the conventional electrophysiological method and a new method based on the measurements of the hyperpolarizing effect of Na removal. We found that blocking the K channels did not cause a proportional decrease in the K permeability of the resting membrane, suggesting that the semipermeable property of the resting membrane is not determined by the excitable K channels.

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				J. R. Clay Excitability of the Squid Giant Axon Revisited J Neurophysiol, August 1, 1998; 80(2): 903 - 913. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]