Abstract
The nature of dye and electrical coupling between Schwann cells from the the squid giant axon, determined with microelectrodes, is described. Dye coupling (sensitive to dissection in sea water containing Ca2+) and electrical coupling exists between Schwann cells. The electrical length constant of the Schwann-cell sheath is 25 μm and 100 μm along the axon circumference anti long axis respectively. Schwann-cell membrane resistance is ~ 500 Ω cm2 (corrected for coupling between cells). The coupling ratio between cells is 1:0.3, and is reduced by 2 mM octanol (1:0.03) and increased by 2 mM Ba2+ (1:0.45). We conclude that as Schwann cells are weakly coupled and have a relatively low membrane resistance they are unlikely to be involved in the spatial buffering of axonally released K+.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 667-672 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences |
| Volume | 263 |
| Issue number | 1370 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 22 May 1996 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)
- Immunology and Microbiology(all)
- Environmental Science(all)
- Agricultural and Biological Sciences(all)