The Journal of Neurophysiology Vol. 80 No. 2 August 1998, pp. 785-797
Copyright ©1998 The American Physiological Society

Resting Membrane Properties of Locust Muscle and Their Modulation II. Actions of the Biogenic Amine Octopamine

Christian Walther and Klaus E. Zittlau

Physiological Institute, Neuroendocrinology Working Group, University of Marburg, 35037 Marburg, Germany

Walther, Christian and Klaus E. Zittlau. Resting membrane properties of locust muscle and their modulation. II. Actions of the biogenic amine octopamine. J. Neurophysiol. 80: 785-797, 1998. Ionic currents in the resting membrane of locust jumping muscle and their modulation by the biogenic amine octopamine were investigated using the two-electrode voltage clamp. A Cl conductance, G_Cl,H, which slowly activates on hyperpolarization, can be induced by raising the intracellular Cl concentration via diffusion of Cl ions from the recording electrode. The instantaneous I-V characteristic of the current, I_Cl,H, is linear and reverses at the same potential as the -aminobutyric acid (GABA)-mediated Cl current. Elevation of [Cl]_i increases the maximal steady state G_Cl,H (G_max) and shifts the activation curve of G_Cl,H to more positive potentials. Octopamine enhances G_Cl,H, mainly by increasing G_max. Octopamine also lowers the resting K⁺ conductance (G_K,r). It reduces a hyperpolarization-activated component (G_K,H) of G_K,r, mainly by decreasing G_max. Octopamine also transiently stimulates the Na⁺/K⁺ pump although this effect was not always seen. The effects of octopamine on the Cl and K⁺ conductances are mimicked by membrane permeant cyclic nucleotides. The modulation of G_K,r, but not that of G_Cl,H, seems to be mediated by protein kinase A (PKA). PKA seems to be constitutively activated as indicated by the pronounced increase in G_K,r induced by a PKA inhibitor, H89. The properties of G_Cl,H and related Cl conductances in invertebrate and vertebrate neurons are compared. G_Cl,H probably supports efflux of Cl ions accumulating in the fibers during synaptic inhibition. Octopamine's multiple modulation at the level of the muscle cell membrane, in conjunction with previously established effects on synaptic transmission and excitation-contraction coupling, are suited to support strong and rapid muscle contractions.

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