VOLTAGE-CLAMP PREDICTIONS BY GOMPERTZ KINETICS MODEL RELATING SQUID-AXON NA⁺-GATING AND IONIC CURRENTS

Abstract

Gompertz kinetics is a simple, realistic, accurate, and computationally parsimonious alternative for prediction of macroscopic changes in Na⁺ conductance during voltage clamp. Conductance delay and time course depend on initial amplitudes and decay rates of surrogates for the macroscopic gating currents. The model is tested by the fit to published data of other authors. The proposed physical basis for the model is that membrane potential perturbation triggers motion of charged “gating” components of the axon membrane at rapid (activating) and at slow (inactivating) rates. The resulting distortion increases and more slowly diminishes the probability that conduction channels will be open.

Keywords:

• Gompertz kinetics
• Hodgkin-Huxley
• squid axon
• voltage clamp