No abstract

Using a patch-clamp technique in the whole-cell configuration, we studied transmembrane ion currents in isolated single smooth muscle cells of the guinea pig taenia coli. A depolarizing step shift of the membrane potential from -50 mV was accompanied by the appearance of an outward current. Application of d-tubocurarine (d-TK) or a nonselective blocker of voltage-dependent potassium channels, tetraethylammonium (TEA), led to a decrease in the outward current. Application of d-TK against the background of the action of TEA additionally decreased the outward current. Analysis of the currentvoltage (I-V) relationships of the d-TK-sensitive current showed that this current is practically voltageindependent. At the same time, an inflection of the I-V curve of the potassium current within the segment of maximum activation of the voltage-dependent potassium current is indicative of the sensitivity of this current to the intracellular Ca 2+ concentration. Therefore, the calcium-activated potassium current through small-conductance calcium-dependent potassium channels includes a d-TK-sensitive voltage-independent component. Using depolarizing shifts of the membrane potential, we observed high-and low-amplitude spontaneous outward currents (SOCs) in many studied cells, i.e., the effect of an increase in the conductance of calcium-dependent potassium channels as a result of periodic release of Ca 2+ from the intracellular stores. Application of d-TK led to a decrease in the frequency of low-amplitude SOCs and exerted nearly no influence on the high-amplitude SOCs under study.