Effect of ions on the light-sensitive current in retinal rods

K. W. Yau; P. A. McNaughton; A. L. Hodgkin

doi:10.1038/292502a0

Effect of ions on the light-sensitive current in retinal rods

K. W. Yau, P. A. McNaughton, A. L. Hodgkin

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Abstract

The effect of ions on the light-sensitive current of retinal rods was studied by sucking the inner segment into a tightly fitting capillary with the outer segment projecting into a flowing solution. This new method showed that the light-sensitive pathway, in which Na⁺ is them normal carrier of current, has an ionic selectivity different from that of other known sodium channels. External calcium has a striking effect on the current, which increased about 20-fold when all calcium was removed. Reducing the sodium concentration gradient greatly prolonged the response to a flash of light, as would be expected if internal calcium blocks sodium channels and if light releases calcium which is subsequently extruded by a sodium-calcium exchange mechanism.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	502-505
Number of pages	4
Journal	Nature
Volume	292
Issue number	5823
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/292502a0
State	Published - 1981
Externally published	Yes

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AU - McNaughton, P. A.

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AB - The effect of ions on the light-sensitive current of retinal rods was studied by sucking the inner segment into a tightly fitting capillary with the outer segment projecting into a flowing solution. This new method showed that the light-sensitive pathway, in which Na+ is them normal carrier of current, has an ionic selectivity different from that of other known sodium channels. External calcium has a striking effect on the current, which increased about 20-fold when all calcium was removed. Reducing the sodium concentration gradient greatly prolonged the response to a flash of light, as would be expected if internal calcium blocks sodium channels and if light releases calcium which is subsequently extruded by a sodium-calcium exchange mechanism.

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Effect of ions on the light-sensitive current in retinal rods

Abstract

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