Voltage Clamp Studies on the Effect of Internal Cesium Ion on Sodium and Potassium Currents in the Squid Giant Axon

Isolated and cleaned giant axons of Loligo pealii were internally perfused with solutions containing cesium sulfate and potassium fluoride. Membrane currents obtained as a function of clamped membrane potentials indicated a severe depression of the delayed outward current component normally attributed to potassium ion movement. Steady-state currents showed a negative slope in the potential range from -45 to -5 mv which corresponded to the negative slope for the peak sodium current relation vs. membrane potential which suggested long duration sodium currents. Using sodium-free sea water externally, sodium currents were separated from total currents and these persisted for longer times than normal. This result suggested that internal cesium ion delays the sodium conductance turnoff. The separated nonsodium currents showed an abnormal rectification as compared with those predicted by the independence principle, such that while potassium permeability appeared normal at the resting potential, its value decreased progressively with increasing depolarization.