Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
1
pubmed:dateCreated
2010-2-22
pubmed:abstractText
The morphology and size of spermatozoa hinder the study of the functional properties of the spermatozoa plasma membrane. However, some studies have revealed the presence of a number of ion channels in this cell. We set out to measure the endogenous currents and to study the effect of the venom of the Chilean black widow spider (Latrodectus mactans). By patch-clamping bovine spermatozoa our results indicate the presence of an outwardly rectifying current, sensitive to changes in K(+) concentration (30-140 mM) and to tetraethylammonium (TEA, 10-100 mM). The application of the venom (7.5 microg/ml) blocks these K+ currents and then alters the passive properties of the plasma membrane. This leads to the entry of Ca(++), reflected by a change in basal fluorescent units (5+/-2 at 35+/-10 FAU). The Ca(++) influx follows a reduction in the membrane conductance (control 22+/-2; venom 10+/-1 pS), as calcium channels open in accord with voltage dependence.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Feb
pubmed:issn
1939-6376
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Electronic
pubmed:volume
56
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
37-43
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2010
pubmed:articleTitle
Tetraethylammonium-sensitive K(+) current in the bovine spermatozoa and its blocking by the venom of the Chilean Latrodectus mactans.
pubmed:affiliation
Departamento de Ciencias Preclínicas, Universidad de la Frontera, Chile. jparodi@ufro.cl
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't