J Robbins

University College London, London, ENG, United Kingdom

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Publications (19)65.1 Total impact

  • Article: Coupling of Muscarinic Receptor Subtypes to Ion Channels: Experiments on Neuroblastoma Hybrid Cellsa
    Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 12/2006; 707(1):237 - 258. · 3.15 Impact Factor
  • Article: The role of ryanodine receptors in the cyclic ADP ribose modulation of the M-like current in rodent m1 muscarinic receptor-transformed NG108-15 cells.
    S E Bowden, A A Selyanko, J Robbins
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    ABSTRACT: 1. The role of cyclic ADP ribose and ryanodine receptors in the inhibition of the M-like current (IK(M,ng)) by acetylcholine was investigated in m1 muscarinic receptor-transformed mouse neuroblastoma-rat glioma hybrid (NG108-15) cells using patch-clamp techniques and calcium microfluorimetry. 2. Acetylcholine (1-100 microM) decreased IK(M,ng) by up to 55 %. Application, via the patch pipette, of the cyclic ADP ribose antagonists 8-amino-cyclic ADP ribose (10-100 microM) and 8-bromo-cyclic ADP ribose (100-1000 microM) reduced this inhibition of IK(M,ng) in a concentration-dependent manner. The half-maximal inhibition concentrations for 8-amino- cyclic ADP ribose and 8-bromo-cyclic ADP ribose were around 40 microM and 1 mM, respectively. 3. Neither of the cyclic ADP ribose antagonists altered the amplitude of IK(M,ng) per se, or the incidence of the concurrent Ca2+-activated K+ current (IIK(Ca)) activation, also mediated by acetylcholine. 4. The ryanodine receptor modulators ryanodine (1-10 microM) and Ruthenium Red (10 microM) did not alter IK(M,ng) amplitude or IK(M,ng) inhibition mediated by acetylcholine. There was a statistically significant increase in the proportion of cells showing outward currents in the presence of Ruthenium Red. 5. Intracellular calcium levels measured with fura-2 microfluorimetry were increased with low concentrations of ryanodine (1 microM), more consistently with caffeine (10 mM), and in almost every case with both bradykinin (300 nM) and acetylcholine (100 microM). Caffeine-, but not bradykinin-evoked responses were abolished by preincubation with ryanodine (10 microM). 6. The fast 'rundown rate' of the M-current recorded in rat superior cervical ganglion cells under whole-cell conditions precluded an investigation of the effects of intracellular dialysis of cyclic ADP ribose. However, when cyclic ADP ribose (5 microM) was applied directly to the cytoplasmic face of inside-out membrane patches excised from rat superior cervical ganglion cells containing M-channels, it had no effect on the main parameters of single channel activity (conductance, mean open time or frequency of opening). 7. These results indicate that cyclic ADP ribose acts on a specific intracellular site to mediate IK(M,ng) inhibition. However, unlike previously established effects of cyclic ADP ribose, the ryanodine receptor is not required, suggesting that another molecular target may be involved. Studies at the single channel level indicate that cyclic ADP ribose may not act directly on the M-channels in inside-out patches.
    The Journal of Physiology 09/1999; 519 Pt 1:23-34. · 4.72 Impact Factor
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    Article: Nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide regulates muscarinic receptor-coupled K+ (M) channels in rodent NG108-15 cells.
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    ABSTRACT: 1. The possible role of nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) and cyclic adenosine diphosphate ribose (cADPR) as regulators of M-type K+ currents (IK(M)) has been studied in whole-cell patch-clamped NG108-15 mouse neuroblastoma x rat glioma cells that had been transformed to express m1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs). 2. Pre-incubation of NG108-15 cells for 6-8 h with streptozotocin (2-5 mM) reduced NAD+ levels by 40-50%. Nicotinamide (2-5 mM) increased NAD+ levels and prevented depletion by streptozotocin. 3. Streptozotocin pretreatment reduced the inhibition of IK(M) produced by 100 microM acetylcholine (ACh) from 51.6 +/- 7.0 to 29.1 +/- 7.5%. This was prevented by simultaneous pre-incubation with 2 mM nicotinamide or by adding 2 mM NAD+ to the pipette solution. Neither procedure significantly affected the initial amplitude of IK(M). 4. Inclusion of 2 microM cADPR in the pipette solution induced a slow loss of IK(M) with a time constant of about 20 min. 5. It is concluded that mAChR-induced inhibition of IK(M) requires intracellular NAD+. This might be needed for the formation of cADPR as a regulator or messenger for IK(M) inhibition.
    The Journal of Physiology 02/1995; 482 ( Pt 2):317-23. · 4.72 Impact Factor
  • Article: Putative M-type potassium channels in neuroblastoma-glioma hybrid cells: inhibition by muscarine and bradykinin.
    A A Selyanko, J Robbins, D A Brown
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    ABSTRACT: Putative M-type K(+)-channels ('M-channels') were recorded in differentiated NG108-15 neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cells transformed to express m1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors using cell-attached patch-electrodes. Channels showed multiple conductances, with peaks at 6-9 and 12-15 pS. Averaged currents showed time-dependent activation during 1 s depolarization steps to around -30 mV. Steady-state Po increased in a voltage-dependent manner when the membrane was depolarized between 10 and 60 mV, with a limiting slope of 5.5 mV/e-fold change in Po. Steady-state kinetics were fit by two open and three shut times: depolarization shortened shut times and lengthened open times. Application of muscarine (10 microM) or bradykinin (10 microM) to the membrane outside the patch reversibly reduced steady-state in-patch channel activity to 38.4 +/- 11.7 and 28.8 +/- 6.1% of control values, respectively. Inhibition was accompanied by a lengthening of channel shut times without significant change in open times or distribution of conductance levels. No effect of muscarine or bradykinin on whole-cell or membrane patch delayed rectifier currents was detected. It is concluded that M-channels in NG108-15 cells are qualitatively similar to, but sparser than, those previously reported in rat sympathetic neurones. Their inhibition by extra-patch acetylcholine and bradykinin suggests that a mobile messenger is involved in the transduction process leading from receptor activation to channel closure.
    Receptors and Channels 02/1995; 3(2):147-59.
  • Article: Activation of nucleotide receptors inhibits M-type K current [IK(M)] in neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cells.
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    ABSTRACT: A phospholipase-C-linked nucleotide receptor, sensitive to both uridine and adenosine triphosphate (UTP and ATP) has been cloned from NG108-15 neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cells. We have tested whether activation of this receptor could inhibit the voltage-dependent K+ current [IK(M) or "M-current"] in NG108-15 cells recorded using whole-cell patch-clamp methods. Both UTP and ATP inhibited IK(M) by 44% and 42%, respectively, at 100 microM. Mean IC50 values were: UTP, 0.77 +/- 0.27 microM; ATP, 1.81 +/- 0.82 microM. The order of nucleotide and nucleoside activity at 100 microM was: UTP = ATP > ATP [gamma S] = ITP > 2-MeSATP > ADP = GTP > AMP-CPP, adenosine, where ATP[gamma S] is adenosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate), ITP is inosine 5'-triphosphate, 2-MeSATP is 2-methylthio ATP and AMP-CPP is alpha, beta methylene ATP. This rank order accords with their activities at the cloned P2U receptor. Effects were not inhibited by suramin (up to 500 microM) or by pre-incubation for 12 h in 500 ng.ml-1 Pertussis toxin. Inhibition of IK(M) was frequently preceded by a transient outward current, probably a Ca(2+)-activated K+ current, responding to Ca2+ mobilization. No effect on the delayed rectifier K+ current was observed. These observations match those expected from stimulating other phospholipase-C-linked receptors in NG108-15 cells.
    Pflügers Archiv - European Journal of Physiology 12/1994; 429(2):223-30. · 4.46 Impact Factor
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    Article: On the mechanism of M-current inhibition by muscarinic m1 receptors in DNA-transfected rodent neuroblastoma x glioma cells.
    J Robbins, S J Marsh, D A Brown
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    ABSTRACT: 1. Acetylcholine (ACh) produces two membrane current changes when applied to NG108-15 mouse neuroblastoma x rat glioma hybrid cells transformed (by DNA transfection) to express m1 muscarinic receptors: it activates a Ca(2+)-dependent K+ conductance, producing an outward current, and it inhibits a voltage-dependent K+ conductance (the M conductance), thus diminishing the M-type voltage-dependent K+ current (IK(M)) and producing an inward current. The present experiments were undertaken to find out how far inhibition of IK(M) might be secondary to stimulation of phospholipase C, by recording membrane currents and intracellular Ca2+ changes with indo-1 using whole-cell patch-clamp methods. 2. Bath application of 100 microM ACh reversibly inhibited IK(M) by 47.3 +/- 3.2% (n = 23). Following pressure-application of 1 mM ACh, the mean latency to inhibition was 420 ms at 35 degrees C and 1.79 s at 23 degrees C. Latencies to inhibition by Ba2+ ions were 148 ms at 35 degrees C and 92 ms at 23 degrees C. 3. The involvement of a G-protein was tested by adding 0.5 mM GTP-gamma-S or 10 mM potassium fluoride to the pipette solution. These slowly reduced IK(M), with half-times of about 30 and 20 min respectively, and rendered the effect of superimposed ACh irreversible. Effects of ACh were not significantly changed after pretreatment for 24 h with 500 ng ml-1 pertussis toxin or on adding up to 10 mM GDP-beta-S to the pipette solution. 4. The role of phospholipase C and its products was tested using neomycin (to inhibit phospholipase C), inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) and inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate (InsP4), heparin, and phorbol dibutyrate (PDBu) and staurosporin (to activate and inhibit protein kinase C respectively). Both neomycin (1 mM external) and InsP3 (100 microM intrapipette) inhibited the ACh-induced outward current and/or intracellular Ca2+ transient but did not block ACh-induced inhibition of IK(M). Intrapipette heparin (1 mM) blocked activation of IK(Ca) and reduced Ach-induced inhibitions of IK(M), but also reduced inhibition of ICa via endogeneous m4 receptors. PDBu (with or without intrapipette ATP) and staurosporin had no significant effects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
    The Journal of Physiology 10/1993; 469:153-78. · 4.72 Impact Factor
  • Article: Coupling of m2 and m4 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes to Ca(2+)-dependent K+ channels in transformed NL308 neuroblastoma x fibroblast hybrid cells.
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    ABSTRACT: Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) subtype (m1-m4)-specific cDNAs were transfected into NL308 neuroblastoma-fibroblast hybrid cells and clones expressing each of the individual mAChR subtypes m1, m2, m3 and m4 obtained. Acetylcholine increased phosphoinositide (PI) turnover in m1- and m3-transformed cells, but did not produce detectable changes in m2- and m4-transformed cells. In cells expressing m1 and m3 subtypes, ACh produced an initial outward K+ current, followed by a cationic current. In cells expressing m2 and m4 receptors, only the initial K+ current was detected. The outward currents were associated with a rise in intracellular Ca2+ as measured with Fura-2 or Indo-1, and were inhibited by chelating intracellular Ca2+ with external BAPTA-AM, or by external charybdotoxin or Ba2+: hence they were attributed to the activation of a Ca(2+)-dependent K+ current. However, the outward current produced in m2- and m4-transformed cells was blocked by pretreatment with 5 ng ml-1 Pertussis toxin (PTX), whereas that in m1- and m3-transformed cells was not. These results suggest that m2- and m4-receptors in transformed NL308 cells coupled to PTX-sensitive G-protein which is capable of mobilizing intracellular Ca2+ and activate IK(Ca), whereas m1 and m3 receptors activate a similar process through a different, PTX-insensitive G-protein.
    Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 04/1993; 251(1332):215-24. · 5.41 Impact Factor
  • Article: Agonist-induced inhibition of inositol-trisphosphate-activated IK(Ca) in NG108-15 neuroblastoma hybrid cells.
    J Robbins
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    ABSTRACT: IK(Ca) activated by intracellular ionophoresis of inositol trisphosphate (IP3) or pressure-applied acetylcholine was inhibited by bradykinin and acetylcholine in NG108-15 cells transfected with m1 receptors. The inhibition of the IP3-evoked current was complete at 10 microM acetylcholine. This inhibition was not seen if the current was evoked by intracellular ionophoresis of calcium ions. Only receptors the activate the phosphoinositide system in these cells produced this inhibition, i.e. transfected muscarinic m1 and m3 and bradykinin receptors, but not muscarinic m2, m4 or adrenergic alpha 2 receptors. This inhibition was not sensitive to pertussis toxin or staurosporine. The concentrations of acetylcholine needed to inhibit the evoked current were identical to those needed to raise intracellular calcium but tenfold less than those needed for the agonist to activate IK(Ca). In a normal calcium-containing superfusate, recovery from inhibition required around 8 min (half-time 4 min) after removal of acetylcholine. When the experiment was performed in calcium-free medium no recovery was seen after 8 min washing in drug-free solution, but complete recovery was seen within 3 min (half-time 1.5 min) after adding calcium. Responses to repeated pressure applications of acetylcholine could be reversibly inhibited by acetylcholine and bradykinin. It seems, then, that there is no direct action of acetylcholine or bradykinin on the IK(Ca) channels themselves but that concentrations below those needed to activate IK(Ca) can empty and inhibit the IP3-sensitive calcium store. This may provide a mechanism for heterologous desensitization for phospholipase-C-linked receptor-mediated responses.
    Pflügers Archiv - European Journal of Physiology 02/1993; 422(4):364-70. · 4.46 Impact Factor
  • Article: Postsynaptic actions of acetylcholine: the coupling of muscarinic receptor subtypes to neuronal ion channels.
    Progress in brain research 02/1993; 98:293-301. · 3.04 Impact Factor
  • Article: Neurotransmitter modulation of calcium channels is dependent on the charge carrier used in the recording of currents.
    S Jones, J Robbins, D A Brown
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    ABSTRACT: Currents through calcium channels were recorded using calcium, barium and strontium as charge carriers in NG108-15 cells. The mean normalised peak current amplitude at 0 mV was not significantly different between the charge carriers; however, the sustained component (measured at the end of the 500 ms command step) was ca. 3 times larger in barium and strontium. Further, the inhibition by acetylcholine or noradrenaline, although the same at the peak of the current envelope, was significantly greater on the sustained portion of the current for barium and strontium. Increasing internal calcium-buffering (to reduce calcium-dependent inactivation with calcium as the charge carrier) did not increase the amount of inhibition of the sustained portion of current. These results suggest a cautious approach to analysis of neurotransmitter modulation of calcium currents using other charge carriers than calcium.
    Neuroscience Letters 11/1992; 145(2):153-6. · 2.11 Impact Factor
  • Article: Neurotransmitters inhibit the omega-conotoxin-sensitive component of Ca current in neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid (NG 108-15) cells, not the nifedipine-sensitive component.
    M P Caulfield, J Robbins, D A Brown
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    ABSTRACT: Voltage-dependent calcium currents (ICa) in NG 108-15 cells consisted of three pharmacologically distinct components: a transient low-voltage-activated (LVA) current, sensitive to Ni2+; a high-voltage-activated (HVA) current sensitive to the dihydropyridine antagonist, nifedipine and a HVA current sensitive to omega-conotoxin GVIA (CgTx). The voltage sensitivities and decay kinetics of the two HVA currents were indistinguishable. The neurotransmitters acetylcholine (ACh) and noradrenaline inhibited ICa. This inhibition was not occluded by Ni2+ or nifedipine, but was abolished by CgTx. It is therefore concluded that the neurotransmitter-sensitive component of ICa is restricted to that component of HVA current inhibitable by omega-conotoxin.
    Pflügers Archiv - European Journal of Physiology 05/1992; 420(5-6):486-92. · 4.46 Impact Factor
  • Article: Intracellular Mg2+ inhibits the IP3-activated IK(Ca) in NG108-15 cells. [Why intracellular citrate can be useful for recording IK(Ca)].
    J Robbins, R Cloues, D A Brown
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    ABSTRACT: Receptor-mediated formation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) can induce an outward Ca(2+)-activated K+ current [IK(Ca)] in some neural cells. We have investigated IK(Ca) activated by intracellular injections of IP3 in whole-cell patch-clamped neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cells. The current could only be recorded reliably using citrate as the anion in the pipette, but not using acetate, aspartate, chloride, fluoride, gluconate or methylsulphate. This could be attributed to buffering of intracellular Mg2+ by citrate. Theoretical calculations suggested free [Mg2+] of 1.0 and 0.07 mM respectively in the acetate- and citrate-based recording solutions. Further, IP3-activated IK(Ca) could be recorded when the free Mg2+ level in the acetate, chloride or methylsulphate solutions was lowered to the range (0.05 mM) calculated for the citrate solution. Thus, raised [Mg2+] blocks IK(Ca). This appeared to be due to inhibition of the response to released Ca2+, since high [Mg2+] also blocked the response to intracellular injections of Ca2+ ions. Mean Mg2+ levels in intact neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cells measured by Mag-Indo-1/AM fluorescence were estimated to be less than 0.14 mM. We therefore conclude that IP3-induced IK(Ca) is expressed under normal conditions, but may be subject to regulation by intracellular Mg2+.
    Pflügers Archiv - European Journal of Physiology 04/1992; 420(3-4):347-53. · 4.46 Impact Factor
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    Article: Kinetic and pharmacological properties of the M-current in rodent neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cells.
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    ABSTRACT: 1. The M-like current IK(M,ng) in differentiated NG108-15 mouse neuroblastoma x rat glioma hybrid cells has been studied using tight-seal, whole-cell patch-clamp recording. 2. When calculated from steady-state current-voltage curves, the conductance underlying IK(M,ng) showed a Boltzmann dependence on voltage with half-activation voltage Vo = -44 mV (in 3 mM [K+]) and slope factor (a) = 8.1 mV/e-fold increase in conductance. In 12 mM [K+] Vo = -38 mV and a = 6.9 mV. The deactivation reciprocal time constant accelerated with hyperpolarization with slope factor 17 mV/e-fold voltage change. 3. The reversal potential for deactivation tail currents varied with external [K+] as if PNa/PK were 0.005. 4. Steady-state current was increased on removing external Ca2+. In the presence of external Ca2+, reactivation of IK(M, ng) after a hyperpolarizing step was delayed. This delay was preceded by an inward Ca2+ current, and coincided with an increase in intracellular [Ca2+] as measured with Indo-1 fluorescence. Elevation of intracellular [Ca2+] with caffeine also reduced IK(M, ng). 5. IK(M, ng) was inhibited by external divalent cations in decreasing order of potency (mM IC50 in parentheses): Zn2+ (0.011) greater than Cu2+ (0.018) greater than Cd2+ (0.070) greater than Ni2+ (0.44) greater than Ba2+ (0.47) greater than Fe2+ (0.69) greater than Mn2+ (0.86) greater than Co2+ (0.92) greater than Ca2+ (5.6) greater than Mg2+ (16) greater than Sr2+ (33). This was not secondary to inhibition of ICa since: (i) inhibition persisted in Ca(2+)-free solution; (ii) La3+ did not inhibit IK(M, ng) at concentrations which inhibited ICa; and (iii) organic Ca2+ channel blockers were ineffective. Inhibition comprised both depression of the maximum conductance and a positive shift of the activation curve. Addition of Ca2+ (10 microM free [Ca2+]) or Ba2+ (1 mM total [Ba2+]) to the pipette solution did not significantly change IK(M, ng). 6. IK(M, ng) was reduced by 9-amino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridine (IC50 8 microM) and quinine (30 microM) but was insensitive to tetraethylammonium (IC50 greater than 30 mM), 4-aminopyridine (greater than 10 mM), apamin (greater than 3 microM) or dendrotoxin (greater than 100 nM). 7. IK(M, ng) was inhibited by bradykinin (1-10 microM) or angiotensin II (1-10 microM), but not by the following other receptor agonists: acetylcholine (10 mM), muscarine (10 microM), noradrenaline (100 microM), adrenaline (100 microM), dopamine (100 microM), histamine (100 microM), 5-hydroxytryptamine (10 microM), Met-enkephalin (1 microM), glycine (100 microM), gamma-aminobutyric acid (100 microM) or baclofen (500 microM).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
    The Journal of Physiology 02/1992; 451:159-85. · 4.72 Impact Factor
  • Article: Effects of bradykinin on ion conductances in NG108-15 neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cells recorded with patch-clamp electrodes.
    J Robbins, I McFadzean, D A Brown
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    ABSTRACT: Under whole-cell recording, bradykinin (BK) produced an initial outward membrane current followed by an inward current in voltage-clamped NG108-15 cells. The initial outward current was associated with a rise in intracellular Ca2+ and was accompanied by the opening of Ca(2+)-dependent K(+)-channels recorded with a cell-attached patch electrode. This current was inhibited by intracellular Mg2+. The inward current was associated with inhibition of the voltage-dependent K(+)-current IK(M). These effects accord with those previously observed in microelectrode-impaled cells, with the difference that BK produced much more pronounced and long-lasting desensitization in the patch-clamped cells.
    Agents and actions. Supplements 02/1992; 38 ( Pt 2):98-107.
  • Article: Neurotransmitters inhibit the omega-conotoxin-sensitive component of Ca current in neuroblastoma × glioma hybrid (NG108-15) cells, not the nifedipine-sensitive component
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Voltage-dependent calcium currents (I Ca) in NG 108-15 cells consisted of three pharmacologically distinct components: a transient low-voltage-activated (LVA) current, sensitive to Ni2+; a high-voltage-activated (HVA) current sensitive to the dihydropyridine antagonist, nifedipine and a HVA current sensitive to omega-conotoxin GVIA (CgTx). The voltage sensitivities and decay kinetics of the two HVA currents were indistinguishable. The neurotransmitters acetylcholine (ACh) and noradrenaline inhibited I Ca. This inhibition was not occluded by Ni2+ or nifedipine, but was abolished by CgTx. It is therefore concluded that the neurotransmitter-sensitive component of ICa is restricted to that component of HVA current inhibitable by omega-conotoxin.
    Pflügers Archiv - European Journal of Physiology 01/1992; 420(5):486-492. · 4.46 Impact Factor
  • Article: The naphthalenesulphonamide calmodulin antagonist W7 and its 5-iodo-1-C8 analogue inhibit potassium and calcium currents in NG108-15 neuroblastoma x glioma cells in a manner possibly unrelated to their antagonism of calmodulin.
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    ABSTRACT: Patch clamp techniques were used to record voltage-sensitive calcium and potassium currents from NG108-15 cells. N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalene- sulphonamide (W7), a calmodulin (CaM) antagonist and its more potent (10 times) 5-iodo-1-C8 analogue (J8) inhibited these currents in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibition was not dependent on internal or external Ca2+. W7 was about four times more potent as an inhibitor of the transient potassium current (IC50 = 8 microM) than of the M-current or of the calcium current. J8 was also selective for the potassium currents (IC50 values: transient current 4 microM, M-current 11 microM) compared to the calcium current (IC50 36 microM). It is suggested that the inhibition does not result from an anti-CaM action of the compounds.
    Neuroscience Letters 05/1991; 125(1):57-61. · 2.11 Impact Factor
  • Article: Genotypic m3-Muscarinic Receptors Preferentially Inhibit M-currents in DNA-transfected NG108-15 Neuroblastoma x Glioma Hybrid Cells.
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    ABSTRACT: The ability of different genotypic muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChR) to inhibit the neural K+-current, IM, was assessed in clones of NG108-15 mouse neuroblastoma x rat glioma cells transfected with DNA for the genomic mAChRs m1 - 4 using tight-seal, whole-cell patch clamp recording. No significant inhibition of IM was seen in native (non-transfected) cells, or in m2 or m4 DNA-transfected cells at concentrations of acetylcholine up to 1 mM or muscarine up to 100 microM. Both acetylcholine and muscarine produced complete inhibition of IM in m3 DNA-transfected cells, but only partial (50 - 60%) inhibition in m1 DNA-transfected cells at maximally effective concentrations. This difference could not be explained by differences in mAChR number, as measured by radioligand binding and was not eliminated by adding GTP to the pipette. It is concluded that genotypic m3 receptors couple most effectively to IM and that this may explain previously reported instances of pirenzepine-resistant IM-inhibition.
    European Journal of Neuroscience 02/1991; 3(8):820-824. · 3.63 Impact Factor
  • Article: A transient outward current in NG108-15 neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cells.
    J Robbins, J A Sim
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    ABSTRACT: Outward currents were recorded from voltage-clamped NG108-15 mouse neuroblastoma X rat glioma hybrid cells, differentiated with prostaglandin E1. Depolarising voltage steps from -70 mV, evoked a transient outward current from a threshold of -30 mV. The outward current showed complete inactivation at potentials positive to -10 mV. Inactivation was removed by hyperpolarisation with half-inactivation at -53 mV. The time course of the inactivation could be best fitted by two exponentials with mean time constants of 280 ms and 1.6 s at +80 mV. Tail current measurements showed a shift in the reversal potential with changes in external K+ concentration, consistent with K+ as the current-carrying ion. The outward current amplitude was reversibly reduced by 4-aminopyridine, and the time course of inactivation modified. In the presence of other K+ channel blockers (tetraethylammonium, barium and tetrahydroaminoacridine) the amplitude of the outward current was also reversibly reduced, but with a negligible effect on its time course. The current was unaffected by dendrotoxin, d-tubocurarine, apamin, Cd2+ and Ni2+, and by replacing external Ca2+ with Co2+ or Mg2+. In current clamp, action potential duration was greatly increased by 4-aminopyridine. The findings show that the NG108-15 cell line displays a transient outward current that resembles IK(A) but with a higher than usual threshold and relatively slow inactivation, and that this current is likely to be important for action potential repolarisation.
    Pflügers Archiv - European Journal of Physiology 05/1990; 416(1-2):130-7. · 4.46 Impact Factor
  • Article: The naphthalenesulphonamide calmodulin antagonist W7 and its 5-iodo-1-C8 analogue inhibit potassium and calcium currents in NG108-15 neuroblastoma × glioma cells in a manner possibly unrelated to their antagonism of calmodulin
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    ABSTRACT: Patch clamp techniques were used to record voltage-sensitive calcium and potassium currents from NG108-15 cells. N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalene-sulphonamide (W7), a calmodulin (CaM) antagonist and its more potent (10 times) 5-iodo-1-C8 analogue (J8) inhibited these currents in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibition was not dependent on internal or external Ca2+. W7 was about four times more potent as an inhibitor of the transient potassium current (IC50 = 8 μM) than of the M-current or of the calcium current. J8 was also selective for the potassium currents (IC50 values: transient current 4 μM, M-current 11 μM) compared to the calcium current (IC50 36 μM). It is suggested that the inhibition does not result from an anti-CaM action of the compounds.
    Neuroscience Letters.