The effects of pH on the conductance change evoked by iontophoresis in the frog neuromuscular junction

Abstract

The amplitude of the electrophoretically evoked end-plate potential increases with changing the pH of the bathing solution from 9.4 to 5.4 at room temperature. This change is not observed at lower temperature. The underlying current (e.p.c.I) is slightly decreasing at room temperature by lowering the pH. The relationship between the amplitude of the e.p.c.I and membrane potential is highly non-linear at pH 9.4, while it is quite linear at pH 5.4. The time course of the e.p.c.I is changed neither by different pH, nor by different membrane potential. The data suggest that during the e.p.c.I, the mediator (ACh), the receptor (R) and the mediator-receptor complex are in equilibrium: the amplitude of the e.p.c.I will thus depend on the affinity constant of the reversible reaction between ACh and R. It is concluded that by decreasing the pH, the affinity constant is decreased.