Amplitude histograms can identify positively but not negatively coupled channels

• Published in: Journal of neuroscience methods Vol. 96; no. 2; pp. 105 - 111
• Main Authors: Kenyon, J.L, Bauer, R.J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 15.03.2000
• Subjects: Analysis; Animals; Chloride Channels - physiology; Cooperative; Double-barreled channel; Independent; Ion Channel Gating - physiology; Models, Biological; Models, Statistical; Probability; Receptor Cross-Talk - physiology; Ryanodine receptor; Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel - physiology; Single channel; Single channel; Independent; Double-barreled channel; Cooperative; Analysis; Ryanodine receptor
• ISSN: 0165-0270; 1872-678X
• DOI: 10.1016/S0165-0270(99)00189-2

We investigated the ability of amplitude distributions to determine if the gating of a pair of channels is coupled. These distributions are expressed as probability density amplitude histograms with peaks corresponding to zero, one, or two open channels. If the channels gate independently, the areas under these peaks ( A, B, and C, respectively) determine the open probabilities of the two channels ( p 1 and p 2). Manivannan et al. (Biophys J 1994;61:216) showed that if Δ= B 2/ AC was less than 4 then the channel gating is coupled. We defined a similar parameter, D=( B 2/4)− AC. If D<0 then channel gating is coupled. However, amplitude histograms with D>0 are consistent with both independent and coupled gating. We further present a simple model in which channels are assumed to be identical and can be positively or negatively coupled. Here, amplitude histograms determine q=( B+2 C)/2 (open probability of the coupled channels) and r=− D (the coupling parameter). Thus, positively coupled channels ( r>0) produce amplitude histograms with D<0 whereas negatively coupled channels ( r<0) produce amplitude histograms with D>0.