Effects of Colchicine on the Surface Electrical Properties and Sodium Channel Current in Neuroblastoma Cells

Abstract

We studied the effect of colchicine, an agent that suppresses microtubule assembly, on the passive membrane electrical properties (surface charge density, surface potential) and functioning of the sodium channel in neuroblastoma cells, N1E 115 clone. Colchicine (0.1 mM) caused an increase in net negative surface charge density, but the surface potential was not strongly affected. Colchicine strongly affected the sodium-channel currents: (a) colchicine blocked sodium currents through open sodium channels and the mean amplitude decreased about 50%; (b) the maximum sodium conductance was reduced to 6.0 pS; and (c) the voltage-dependent activation shifted by 10 mV in the direction of depolarization. Effects on the reversible potential and channel inactivation were not seen. Microtubules may play an important role in sodium channel current, and they could be involved in the regulation of the molecular structure of sodium channels.