Biochimica et Biophysica Acta 1989-01-30

The effects of homologous series of anaesthetics on a resting potassium conductance of the squid giant axon.

A A Elliott, J R Elliott, D A Haydon

Index: Biochim. Biophys. Acta 978(2) , 337-40, (1989)

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Abstract

The effects of n-alkanes (n-pentane to n-octane), n-alkanols (n-pentanol to n-undecanol) and two carboxylic esters (methyl pentanoate and methyl octanoate) on the conductance of squid giant axons in a high potassium, zero sodium bathing solution have been examined. Sodium and delayed rectifier potassium channels were as far as possible pharmacologically blocked. A substantial fraction of the measured conductance is attributed to a recently-described, voltage-independent, potassium channel. Anaesthetics block this channel but its sensitivity is markedly different from those of other squid axon ion channels.