Referenced in: none

Automatically associated channels: Kv2.1

Title: Ionic conductances in sustentacular cells of the mouse olfactory epithelium.

Authors: Fivos Vogalis, Colleen C Hegg, Mary T Lucero

Journal, date & volume: J. Physiol. (Lond.), 2005 Feb 1 , 562, 785-99

PubMed link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15611020

Abstract
The electrical properties of sustentacular cells (SCs) in the olfactory epithelium (OE) were investigated in tissue slices taken from neonatal mice (P0-P4). Conventional whole-cell recordings were obtained from SCs and also from olfactory receptor neurones (ORNs) in situ. SCs had a larger apparent cell capacitance (C(cell)) (18.6 +/- 0.5 pF) than ORNs (4.4 +/- 0.4 pF) and a lower apparent membrane resistance (R(m)) (160 +/- 11 MOmega versus 664 +/- 195 MOmega, respectively). When corrected for a seal resistance of 1 GOmega, these mean R(m) values were increased to 190 MOmega and 2 GOmega in SCs and ORNs, respectively. SCs generated a TTX (1 microm)-resistant voltage-activated Na(+) current (I(Na)) that had a peak density at -38 mV of -44 pA pF(-1) and supported action potential firing. Peak current density of I(Na) in neurones was 510 +/- 96 pA pF(-1). The outward K(+) current in SCs was composed (> 70%) of a TEA (2 mm)-sensitive component that was mediated by the opening of large-conductance (237 +/- 10 pS; BK) channels. The resting leak conductance (g(L)) of SCs was permeable to monovalent cations and anions and was largely inhibited by substitution of external Na(+) with NMDG and by internal F(-) with gluconate. g(L) deactivated up to 50% at potentials negative of -70 mV and was inhibited by 18beta-glycyrrhetinic acid (20 mum). SCs were identified using fluorescent dyes (Lucifer Yellow and Alexa Fluor 488) in the whole-cell patch pipette-filling solution. Our findings indicate that SCs in the OE of neonates are electrically excitable and are distinguishable from neurones by a having a resting g(L).