Membrane photomodification of cardiac myocytes: potassium and leakage currents.

Cardiac myocytes were isolated from the atria of frogs (Rana pipiens) and whole cell potassium (IK) and "leakage" (Ileak) currents were monitored using the patch clamp technique. Cells were photosensitized by exposure to Rose Bengal (0.125-0.5 microM). Illumination produced an exponential decrease in IK, and an increase in Ileak. Current modifications varied with light intensity and sensitizer concentration. IK stabilized when illumination ceased, while Ileak continued to increase at a slower rate after illumination ended. The exponential nature of IK modification suggests that potassium channels are photomodified with single hit kinetics. The stabilization of IK following illumination suggests (1) that the photomodification of the potassium channel does not involve long lasting (minutes) radical chain reactions and (2) that this photomodification is not repaired in the course of a few minutes.