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

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 the normal carrier of current, has an ionic selectivity different from that of other known sodium channels. Externàl 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.     

Dense-cored vesicles at neuromuscular synapses of arthropods and vertebrates

Résumé Les vésicules synaptiques granulées se trouvent dans les jonctions neuromusculaires de mammifères, des crustacés, et des araignées. On ne connait pas leur fonction.

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Supported by grants from the National Research Council of Canada and the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Canada.