Pharmacological and electrophysiological characterization of lithium ion flux through the action potential sodium channel in neuroblastoma X glioma hybrid cells.

Interaction of Li+ with the voltage-dependent Na+ channel has been analyzed in neuroblastoma X glioma hybrid cells. The cells were able to generate action potentials in media containing Li+ instead of Na+. The uptake of Li+ into the hybrid cells was investigated for the pharmacological analysis of Li+ permeation through voltage-dependent Na+ channels. Veratridine and aconitine increased the uptake of Li+ to the same degree (EC50 30 microM). This increase was blocked by tetrodotoxin (IC50 20 nM). Veratridine and aconitine did not act synergistically; however, the veratridine-stimulated influx was further enhanced by the toxin of the scorpion Leiurus quinquestriatus (EC50 0.06 micrograms/ml). This stimulation was also blocked by tetrodotoxin. Thus, the voltage-dependent Na+ channel of the hybrid cells accepts both Li+ and Na+ in a similar manner.