Long term facilitation of tension in crustacean muscle and its modulation by temperature, activity and circulating amines

Prolonged stimulation of the motor axon of the opener and stretcher muscles of the crayfish claw leads to long-term facilitation (LTF) of transmitter release at the neuromuscular junction. This facilitation is correlated with enhancement of tension development. Factors shown to enhance LTF of transmitter release, such as increased frequency of excitation, lower temperature, and exposure to ouabain also enhance tension development (Figs. 1, 2 …