Hair Cell Interactions in the Statocyst of Hermissenda

Hair cells in the statocyst of Hermissenda crassicornis respond to mechanical stimulation with a short latency (<2 ms) depolarizing generator potential that is followed by hyperpolarization and inhibition of spike activity. Mechanically evoked hyperpolarization and spike inhibition were abolished by cutting the static nerve, repetitive mechanical stimulation, tetrodotoxin (TTX), and Co⁺⁺. Since none of these procedures markedly altered the generator potential it was concluded that the hyperpolarization is an inhibitory synaptic potential and not a component of the mechanotransduction process. Intracellular recordings from pairs of hair cells in the same statocyst and in statocysts on opposite sides of the brain revealed that hair cells are connected by chemical and/or electrical synapses. All chemical interactions were inhibitory. Hyperpolarization and spike inhibition result from inhibitory interactions between hair cells in the same and in opposite statocysts.