Abstract

It has previously been proposed that a Ca2+-dependent K + conductance is implicated in the inhibitory odourant response in rat and toad olfactory receptor neurons. Previous whole-cell and single-channel measurements on inside-out excised patches, in addition to immunochemical evidence, indicated the presence of Ca2+-dependent K+ channels in olfactory cilia, the transducing structures of these sensory cells. Ca2+-dependent K+ channels opened in 'on-cilium' membrane patches from C. caudiverbera upon odourant stimulation. Furthermore, after excision in the inside-out configuration, the channel could be opened by micromolar Ca2+, in a Ca2+-dependent fashion, but it was unresponsive to cyclic AMP. We estimated that the Ca2+ concentration in the proximity of a Ca2+-dependent K+ channel within the cilia reaches at least 100 ?? during the odour response. The K + channel displayed a higher selectivity for K+ than for Na+. Our results support a role for this Ca2+-dependent K+ channel in chemotransduction.