Journal of Neuroscience, Vol 6, 620-626, Copyright © 1986 by Society for Neuroscience
Serotonin decreases the duration of action potentials recorded from tetraethylammonium-treated bullfrog dorsal root ganglion cells
GG Holz 4th, SA Shefner and EG Anderson
Neurotransmitter effects on calcium currents activated by sensory neuron
action potentials have been previously studied in embryonic or neonatal
dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells in culture. In the present study we
examined the effects of serotonin (5-HT) on the shape of action potentials
recorded from fully differentiated primary afferent neurons in isolated DRG
of adult bullfrogs. Intracellular recordings were obtained from cell bodies
of type A and C neurons. Concentrations of 5-HT that had no effect on
membrane potential or input resistance had little or no effect on action
potential shape. Treatment with 5-20 mM tetraethylammonium ion (TEA) led to
the appearance of a plateau phase on the falling limb of the spike. This
plateau phase appears to result from calcium influx, as it was dramatically
reduced in amplitude and duration by solutions containing low
concentrations of calcium or the calcium channel blocker, manganese. In
preparations treated with 7.5 mM TEA, low concentrations of 5-HT (10 nM-1
microM) produced a dose- dependent narrowing of the calcium-dependent
plateau phase of the mixed sodium/calcium spike. A decrease in spike
afterhyperpolarization was also noted. The decrease in spike duration was
recorded from 74% of type A neurons and 57% of type C neurons, and was not
secondary to a change in resting potential or input resistance. The 5-HT
receptor antagonists methysergide and metergoline did not block the
response to 5-HT. Instead, they exhibited weak agonist-like actions.
Serotonin also reduced the rate of rise and peak amplitude of calcium
spikes recorded in the presence of tetrodotoxin and TEA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED
AT 250 WORDS)