Palytoxin Evokes Reversible Spreading Depolarization in the Locust CNS

Spreading depolarization (SD) describes the near-complete depolarization of CNS neural cells as a consequence of chemical, electrical, and metabolic perturbations. It is well-established as the central mechanism underlying insect coma and various mammalian neurological dysfunctions. Despite significant progress in our understanding, the question remains: which cation channel, if any, generates SD in the CNS?

Previously, we speculated that the sodium-potassium ATPase (NKA) might function as a large-conductance ion channel to initiate SD in insects, potentially mediated by a palytoxin (PLTX)-like endogenous activator. In the current study, we evaluate the effectiveness and properties of PLTX as an SD initiator in L. migratoria . Whereas bath-applied PLTX failed to ignite SD, direct injection into the neuropil triggered SD in 57% of the preparations. Notably, PLTX-induced SD onset was significantly more rapid compared to ouabain injection and azide controls, though their electrophysiological features remained similar. Furthermore, PLTX-induced SD was recoverable and resulted in a greater frequency of repetitive SD events compared to ouabain.

Surprisingly, prior PLTX treatment disrupted the onset and recovery of subsequent SD evoked by other means. PLTX injection could attenuate the amplitude and hasten the onset time of azide-induced SD. Such an effect is associated with a complete inhibition at higher doses of subsequent anoxic SD induced through azide treatment or submersion.

These results show that PLTX can trigger repetitive and reversible SD-like events in locusts and simultaneously interfere with anoxic SD occurrence. We suggest that the well-documented NKA pump conversion into an open non-selective cationic channel is a plausible mechanism of SD activation in the locust CNS, warranting additional investigations.