Neuron
Volume 1, Issue 6, August 1988, Pages 503-515
Journal home page for Neuron

Article
Calcium and calcium-dependent chloride currents generate action potentials in solitary cone photoreceptors

https://doi.org/10.1016/0896-6273(88)90181-XGet rights and content

Abstract

Vertebrate rod and cone photoreceptors hyperpolarize when illuminated. However, synaptic input from horizontal cells can depolarize cones and even elicit action potentials. Using the whole-cell tight-seal recording technique, we determined that, in solitary cones isolated from a lizard retina, action potentials can be generated by depolarizing current steps under conditions where only two ionic currents are activated. A dihydropyridine-sensitive, inward Ca2+ current that activates at potentials positive to -40 mV can regeneratively depolarize the cell. Subsequently, a SITS-sensitive, Ca2+-dependent outward CI current repolarizes the cell. We suggest that these ionic currents may help explain lateral inhibition in the retina.

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