The effects of noradrenaline on the amplitude-time characteristics of multiquantum endplate currents and the kinetics of induced secretion of transmitter quanta

Abstract

Experiments on frog neuromuscular junctions using a two-electrode membrane potential clamping method were used to study the effects of noradrenaline on the amplitude-time characteristics of multiquantum endplate current (EPC) parameters and the time course of secretion of transmitter quanta during the process of EPC generation. Noradrenaline (10 microM) induced significant increases in EPC amplitude (by 16%), with a decrease in the ratio of the duration of the leading front of the EPC to the duration of the leading front of the miniature endplate current (mEPC). Analysis of the time course of induced secretion, based on sequential subtraction of signals with displacement on the time scale, showed that noradrenaline induced synchronization of the process of secretion of quanta involved in generating multiquantum EPC, resulting in a 25% decrease in parameter P90, which characterizes the extent of synchronization of quantum release. The quantum composition of EPC, measured by dividing the area of induced and spontaneous signals and by analysis of the time course of the secretion of quanta, showed no changes in response to noradrenaline. Thus, in conditions in which responses to single stimuli applied to the motor nerve results in the release of several tens of quanta, noradrenaline can lead to increases in the amplitude of multiquantum EPC by increasing the level of synchronization of secretion of the transmitter quanta forming this signal.