Some properties of sodium channels in neuroblastoma cells modified with scorpion toxin and chloramine-T. Single channel measurements.

Currents through sodium channels of neuroblastoma cells were measured using patch technique in outside-out configuration. Scorpion toxin (ScTX) produced 3 to 4 fold prolongation of mean open time and increased number of reopenings. The mean open times showed slow fluctuations around some average values. The distribution of channel open times for ScTX-modified channels required more than one exponential to be fitted. Chloramine-T (ChT) produced qualitatively similar, though weaker, prolongation of open times.