抄録
Increase of membrane potential (hyperpolarization) ruptures membrane as has been demonstrated by irregular inward currents (Ihi) and nuclear ethidium fluorescence increase (EBfluo) in cardiac myocytes. We found that La3+ depresses Ihi. Polyethyleneglycol (PEG) is known to plug some large ion channels. Here, we applied La3+ and PEG (MW, 4,000) together or independently to isolated rabbit ventricular myocytes to examine their closing effects on electrically produced pores. The time integral of whole-cell Ihi during 40 s pulses (Qhi) and EBfluo during these pulses were estimated at membrane potentials between –80 and –160 mV. Qhi was depressed by La3+ (30, 100, 1,000 nM) to about 15% at each potential and this depression was not affected by PEG. In contrast to La3+, Qhi was little affected by 2 and 5% PEG in control. However, Qhi was suppressed by 2 and 5% PEG in the presence of 1 mM-La3+. EBfluo was depressed by La3+ maximally at 30 nM among above concentrations to 61% in control and to 42%in the presence of 5%-PEG. PEG (5%) voltage-independently depressed EBfluo to 50% in control and the depression was increased by 0.1 mM- La3+ to 26%. It was suggested that La3+ mainly closes pores with small diameter, while PEG selectively closes those with larger diameter. La3+ could seal the pores by binding to their outer end and PEG could cooperatively enhance closing action of La3+ in the presence of high concentrations of La+. In addition, the results indicate that hyperpolarizations produce small pores with additional small number of ethidium+-permeable large pores. [Jpn J Physiol 54 Suppl:S98 (2004)]