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Journal of Experimental Biology 93,257-267 (1981)
Published by Company of Biologists 1981

Calcium Action Potentials in the Skeletal Muscle Fibres of the Stick Insect Carausius Morosus

FRANCES M. ASHCROFT ¹

¹ Department of Zoology, Cambridge University, England; Department of Physiology, The University, Leicester LE1 7RH, England

The ionic requirements for the generation of action potentials in the ventral longitudinal muscle fibres of the stick insect, Carausius morosus, were investigated. Ca-free Ringer rapidly and reversibly abolished the action potential. In the presence of tetraethylammonium (TEA) ions (to suppress outward currents) the overshoot of the action potential changed 26 mV for a 10-fold change in [Ca]_o. The maximum rate of rise of the action potential (measured in TEA Ringer) showed saturation at high [Ca]_o. Cobaltous ions (20 mM) and the organic Ca antagonist D 600 (5x10^-4g/ml) reversibly inhibited the action potential; the inhibitory effect of 1 mM-La³⁺ was irreversible. Barium and strontium, but not magnesium, were able to substitute for calcium as charge carriers. These results suggest that an inward movement of Ca²⁺ underlies the action potential of Carausius fibres.

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