Post-tetanic hyperpolarization and electrogenic Na pump in stretch receptor neurone of crayfish

Abstract

1. Two types of after-potentials in the stretch receptor neurone of crayfish are described.2. A short-duration after-hyperpolarization associated with a single spike or a few spikes is diminished and reversed on applying hyperpolarizing currents. However, a much longer-lasting post-tetanic hyperpolarization (PTH) is enhanced by conditioning hyperpolarization; thus, no reversal potential can be obtained.3. No changes in membrane conductance occur during PTH.4. Reducing K concentration in the bathing fluid diminishes PTH, while it shifts the reversal potential of the short after-potential toward greater negativity.5. Replacement of Na with Li, or addition of 2,4-dinitrophenol in the bathing fluid suppresses PTH in a reversible manner.6. Electrophoretic injection of Na into the cell induces a long-lasting hyperpolarization.7. No change in K-equilibrium potential, as indicated by the reversal point of the short after-potential, is detected during PTH.8. It is concluded that the short after-potential is caused by a permeability increase for potassium ion, whereas PTH is produced by an electrogenic Na-pump.