PUB - Publikationen an der Universität Bielefeld

The membrane conductance of olfactory neurons of Locusta migratoria was examined using the whole-cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique. Intracellular application of the second messenger inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate (IP3) via a dual pipette technique elicited a clear increase in the membrane conductance. The IP3-induced conductance increased due to a rise in the extracellular concentration of calcium from 100 μm to 4 mm. Micromolar concentrations of ruthenium red partially blocked the IP3-induced increase in membrane conductance. Stimulating olfactory neurons with odour (hexenoic acid) resulted in an increase in the membrane conductance partially similar to that mediated IP3. These findings suggest that stimulation with appropriate odours as well as intracellular application of IP3 activate the same calcium-permeable ion channels in the plasma membrane of insect olfactory neurons.