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A slow voltage-activated potassium current in rat vagal neurons

Potassium currents play a key role in controlling the excitability of neurons. In this paper we describe the properties of a novel voltage-activated potassium current in neurons of the rat dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV) . Intracellular recordings were made from DMV neurons in transverse slices of the medulla. Under voltage clamp, depolarization of these neurons from hyperpolarized membrane potentials (more negative than –80 mV ) activated two transient outward currents. One had fast kinetics and had properties similar to A-currents. The other current had an activation threshold of a round –95 mV (from a holding potential – 110 mV ) and inactivated with a time constant of about 3s. It had a reversal potential close to the potassium equilibrium potential. This current was not calcium dependent and was not blocked by 4 -aminopyridine (5 mM), catechol (5 mM) or tetraethylammonium (20 mM). It was completely in activated at the resting membrane potential. This current therefore represents a new type of voltage-activated potassium current. It is suggested that this current might act as a brake to repetitive firing when the neuron is depolarized from membrane potentials negative to the resting potential.