Abstract
Intrapulmonary chemoreceptors (IPC) are CO2-sensitive sensory neurons that innervate the lungs of birds, help control the rate and depth of breathing, and require carbonic anhydrase (CA) for normal function. We tested whether the CA enzyme is located intracellularly or extracellularly in IPC by comparing the effect of a CA inhibitor that is membrane permeable (iv acetazolamide) with one that is relatively membrane impermeable (iv benzolamide). Single cell extracellular recordings were made from vagal filaments in 16 anesthetized, unidirectionally ventilated mallards (Anas platyrhynchos). Without CA inhibition, action potential discharge rate was inversely proportional to inspired PCO2 (-9.0 ± 0.8 s-1·lnTorr-1; means ± SE, n = 16) and exhibited phasic responses to rapid PCO2 changes. Benzolamide (25 mg/kg iv) raised the discharge rate but did not alter tonic IPC PCO2 response (-9.8 ± 1.6 s-1·lnTorr-1, n = 8), and it modestly attenuated phasic responses. Acetazolamide (10 mg/kg iv) raised IPC discharge, significantly reduced tonic IPC PCO2 response to -3.5 ± 3.6 s-1·lnTorr-1 (n = 6), and severely attenuated phasic responses. Results were consistent with an intracellular site for CA that is less accessible to benzolamide. A model of IPC CO2 transduction is proposed.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | R1988-R1995 |
Journal | American Journal of Physiology - Regulatory Integrative and Comparative Physiology |
Volume | 279 |
Issue number | 6 48-6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2000 |
Keywords
- Action potentials
- Carbon dioxide
- Carbonic anhydrase
- Sensory neurons
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physiology
- Physiology (medical)