Summary
Two methods were used to study effects of the antibiotic, nystatin, on giant neurons ofAplysia. In the first method the effects of various concentrations of nystatin on the current-voltage relationship were evaluated at a fixed time after exposure to the antibiotic using a two-microelectrode voltage clamp. Nystatin increased membrane conductance in a dose-dependent manner. The dose-response relation was very steep, with little or no effect below 15 mg/liter and an effect too large to measure at concentrations greater than 30 mg/liter. Upon return to antibiotic-free solution, membrane conductance returned to pre-treatment levels within 30 minutes. The second type of experiment involved use of ion-specific microelectrodes to measure changes of intracellular univalent ion activities which attended the nystatin-induced permeability. meability was also increased. Nystatin may therefore be used to selectively rearrange the internal ionic milieu to study the effect of such a change on membrane tranpsort or electrical properties.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Boron, W.F., DeWeer, P. 1976. Intracellular pH transients in squid giant axons caused by CO2, NH3 and metabolic inhibitors.J. Gen. Physiol. 67:91
Brown, A.M., Walker, J.L., Sutton, R.B. 1970. Increased chloride conductance as the proximate cause of hydrogen ion concentration effects inAplysia neurons.J. Gen. Physiol. 56:559
Brown, H.M., Hagiwara, S., Koike, H., Meech, R.W. 1970. Membrane properties of a barnacle photoreceptor examined by voltage clamp technique.J. Physiol. (London) 208:385
Cass, A., Dalmark, M. 1973. Equilibrium dialysis of ions in nystatin-treated red cells.Nature (London) 244:47
Cass, A., Finkelstein, A., Krespi, V. 1970. The ion permeability induced in thin lipid membranes by the polyene antibiotics nystatin and amphotericin B.J. Gen. Physiol. 56:100
Eaton, D.C., Russell, J.M., Brown, A.M. 1975. Ionic permeabilities of anAplysia giant neuron.J. Membrane Biol. 21:353
Ermishkin, L.N., Kasumov, Kh.M., Potzeluyev, V.M. 1976. Single ionic channels induced by polyene antibiotics amphotericin B and nystatine.Nature (London) 262:698
Finkelstein, A., Holz, R. 1973. Aqueous pores created in thin lipid membranes by the polyene antibiotic nystatin and amphotericin B.In: Membranes, Vol. II, Lipid Bilayers and Antibiotics. G. Eisenman, editor, Ch. 5, p. 377. Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York
Haas, M., Schooler, J., Tosteson, D.C. 1975. Coupling of lithium to sodium transport in human red cells.Nature (London) 258:425
Holz, R., Finkelstein, A. 1970. The water and electrolyte permeability induced in thin lipid membrane by the polyene antibiotics nystatin and amphotericin B.J. Gen. Physiol. 56:125
Kinsky, S.C. 1970. Antibiotic interaction with model membranes.Am. Rev. Pharmacol. 10:119
Maizels, M. 1968. Effect of sodium content on sodium efflux from human red cells suspended in sodium-free media containing potassium, rubidium, caesium or lithium chloride.J. Physiol. (London) 195:657
Marty, A., Finkelstein, A. 1975. Pores formed in lipid bilayer membrane by nystatin: Differences in its one-sided and two-sided action.J. Gen. Physiol. 65:515
Russell, J.M., Brown, A.M. 1972a. Active transport of chloride by the giant neuron of theAplysia abdominal ganglion.J. Gen. Physiol. 60:499
Russell, J.M., Brown, A.M. 1972b. Active transport of potassium by the giant neuron of theAplysia abdominal ganglion.J. Gen. Physiol. 60:519
Russell, J.M., Eaton, D.C., Brodwick, M.S. 1976. Effects of nystatin on theAplysia giant neuron.Biophys. J. 16:75a
Sillen, L.G., Martell, A.E. 1971. Stability constants of metal-ion complexes. Supplement No. 1 to Special Publication No. 25. London, Chemical Society
Thomas, R.C. 1974. Intracellular pH of snail neurones measured with a new pH-sensitive glass micro-electrode.J. Physiol. (London) 238:159
Walker, J.L. 1970. Ion specific liquid ion exchanger microelectrodes.Anal. Chem. 43:89
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Russell, J.M., Eaton, D.C. & Brodwick, M.S. Effects of nystatin on membrane conductance and internal ion activities inAplysia neurons. J. Membrain Biol. 37, 137–156 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01940929
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01940929