RESUMO
While increasing the spontaneous quantal transmitter release in frog neuromuscular junctions, streptomycin blocked the evoked transmitter release by decreasing the quantal content (m). The quantal parameter of release n (number of release sites) was significantly decreased, while p (probability of release through transmitter activation) increased. Streptomycin competes with calcium ions for the membrane release sites while the intracellular mechanisms of release remain unaffected. The data show a good fit to the two-step hypothesis of quantal transmitter release recently developed on the basis of ouabain actions.
Assuntos
Bloqueadores Neuromusculares/farmacologia , Junção Neuromuscular/efeitos dos fármacos , Estreptomicina/farmacologia , Animais , Canais de Cálcio/efeitos dos fármacos , Potenciais Evocados/efeitos dos fármacos , Técnicas In Vitro , Potenciais da Membrana/efeitos dos fármacos , Neurotransmissores/farmacologia , Ouabaína/farmacologia , Rana ridibundaRESUMO
The influence of adenosine upon the process of transmitter release was investigated in Mg2+-paralyzed frog neuromuscular junction by using conventional microelectrophysiological techniques and binomial statistical analysis. The statistical parameters used were: m (mean number of quanta released per impulse), p (the probability of quantal release) and n (store of quanta available for release). Adenosine decreased the mean quantal content (m) by reducing n. This effect appeared to be dependent upon the free intracellular Ca2+. The nucleoside competed with the transmitter releasing effects of ouabain and increased the amount of effective Ca2+ necessary for quantal release. It did not change the slope of release parameters modification during low-frequency facilitation. The data are discussed in terms of a physical model of release.
Assuntos
Adenosina/farmacologia , Magnésio/farmacologia , Junção Neuromuscular/efeitos dos fármacos , Neurotransmissores/metabolismo , Animais , Anuros , Cálcio/farmacologia , Ouabaína/farmacologia , Ranidae , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
Ouabain increased both spontaneous and evoked transmitter release in Mg++-treated frog neuromuscular junctions. This action developed as a two-step process which affected both miniature end-plate potential (m.e.p.p.) frequency and the binomial distribution of e.p.p.s. During the first part of its action, which lasts for approximately 60 min, ouabain (10(-5) M) increased the m.e.p.p. frequency following a saturable process. The increase in m.e.p.p. frequency was blocked by tetrodotoxin (15 nM). The quantal parameters of release, m and n, showed a significant increase but the parameter p was unaffected. Since the same changes in the binomial parameters were observed in Mg++-treated junctions exposed to low [Na+]0 in the absence of ouabain, it can be concluded that Na+ concentration played an important role in the increase of transmitter release. After 60 min in ouabain (10(-5) M) m.e.p.p. frequency increased by an exponential process. The binomial parameters of transmitter release, m and p, increased while n remained unchanged. This action was not influenced by TTX pretreatment nor was it reproduced by decreasing [Na+]0. The mechanism responsible for this action seems to be the Ca++- releasing effect of ouabain from the cytoplasmic sequestering sites.