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Membrane potentials in an acanthocephalan worm (Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2009

D. M. Miller ,
B. S. Wong  and
T. T. Dunagan
D. M. Miller
Affiliation:
Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois 62901
B. S. Wong
Affiliation:
Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois 62901
T. T. Dunagan
Affiliation:
Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois 62901
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Summary

The resting membrane potential of the acanthocephalan rete system in Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus was −35±1·5 mV (n = 20) and was dependent upon the external potassium concentration. The membrane potential reached 0 mV when the external potassium concentration was 160 mM. Spontaneous spike potentials of 45 mV ± 10 were dependent on calcium flux. The membrane potential was depolarized by acetylcholine, potassium-free medium, calcium ions and chloride-free medium but not by changes in the external sodium concentration. Spontaneous potentials were increased in number by acetylcholine and calcium at concentrations above 3 mM, but were decreased in number by chloride- and calcium-free medium. Hence the rete system potentials are very similar to smooth muscle potentials in many respects.

Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 83 , Issue 1 , August 1981 , pp. 33 - 41
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1981

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