a-BuTX/Tx	a-bungarotoxin
A	anterior (brain co-ordinate: A3, etc.)
A	absorbance
A23187	a calcium ionophore
A7r5	smooth muscle cells from embryonic rat aorta
aNa1, ai Na	intracellular sodium activity
Ab	antibody
ABC	avidin–biotin complex
9-AC	anthracene-carboxylic acid
ACE potential	average common excitatory potential
ACSF	artificial cerebrospinal fluid
AChE	acetylcholinesterase
AChR	acetylcholine receptor
ACTH(1–24)	a specific peptide fragment of ACTH ( ...the peptide ACTH in titles)
ACT	Australian Capital Territory (no stops)
ADH	antidiuretic hormone (vasopressin) v-Aga IVA v-agatoxin (from funnel web spider)
AH cell	(after-) afterhyperpolaris(z)ation cell
AHP	(after-) afterhyperpolaris(z)ation
AMP-PNP	adenylyl imidophosphate
4-AP	4-aminopyridine
AP III	antipyrylazo III
AP4	2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid
APV/AP5	D-aminophosphonovalerate; also DL-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid
ASW	artificial sea water
ATCC	American Type Culture Collection
a.u.	arbitrary unit
a–v	arteriovenous
β	buffering capacity
Bmax	maximal binding
BAPTA AM	acetoxymethyl ester form of BAPTA
BCECF	pH-sensitive dye: (2‚,7‚-bis(carboxyethyl)-5-carboxyfluorescein/2‚,7‚-bis(carboxyethyl)-6-carboxyfluorescein)
BCECF AM	the acetoxymethyl ester form
BHKC	baby hamster kidney cell line
BP	blood pressure
BP	British pharmacopoeia
8-Br-cAMP	8-bromoadenosine 3‚,5‚ cyclic monophosphate
8-Br-cGMP	8-bromoguanosine 3‚,5‚ cyclic monophosphate
BSA	bovine serum albumin
BTPS	body temperature and pressure when saturated with water vapour
α-BuTX/Tx	a-bungarotoxin
C	capacitance
Ca2+–CaM	Ca 2+–calmodulin complex
CaM	calmodulin
CaMKII	calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II
CCCP	carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone
CCh	carbachol (carbamylcholine chloride)
CCK	cholecystokinin
CCK8 or CCK-8	cholecystokinin octapeptide
CF	cystic fibrosis
CGRP	calcitonin gene-related peptide v-CgTX/Tx v-conotoxin (from Conus geographus)
CHAPS	3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propane sulphonate
ChAT	choline acetyltransferase
ChE	cholinesterase
CHO	carbohydrate
CHO	Chinese hamster ovary (cell line)
CICR	calcium-induced calcium release (also Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release)
CFTR	cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator
CNQX	6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione
CoA	coenzyme A
ConA	concanavalin A
COS	African green monkey kidney cells
CP	(CrP) creatine phosphate
CRF	corticotrop(h)in-releasing factor
CRH	corticotrop(h)in-releasing hormone
CSF	cerebrospinal fluid
CTX	charybdotoxin (scorpion venom)
c.v. or CV	coefficient of variation
D600	methoxyverapamil
DAB	diaminobenzidine
DADLE	D-alanine-D-leucine-enkephalin
DAG	1,2-diacylglycerol (see also DG); also 1,2-sn-diacylglycerol
dATP	deoxyATP
dB-cAMP	dibutyryl cAMP
D–C coupling	depolarization–contraction coupling
d.f.	degrees of freedom
1DI	first dorsal interosseus muscle (also FDI)
DI	diabetes insipidus
DIC	differential interference contrast (DIC microscope; also called ‘Nomarski optics’)
dLGN	dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus
DMEM	Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium
DNFB	2,4-dinitro-1-fluorobenzene (Sanger’s reagent; same as FDNB)
DNP	dinitrophenol
DNQX	6,7-dinitro-quinoxaline-2,3-dione
L-DOPA	L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine
DPhil	(Oxford and Sussex)
Dr	doctor
DRG	dorsal root ganglion
dTC	d-tubocurarine (note roman ‘d’ in abbreviation)
DTT	dithiothreitol
DTX	dendrotoxin
E-	indicates molecular configuration
E	equilibrium potential (use Vfor other potentials)
EK	equilibrium potential for potassium
Em	membrane potential (Vm preferred)
eag	ether-`a-go-go (Drosophila gene)
ECACC	European Collection of Animal Cell Cultures
E–C	coupling excitation–contraction coupling
ECoG	electrocorticogram
EDL	extensor digitorum longus
EDRF	endothelium-derived relaxing factor
EJP	excitatory junction potential
ELISA	enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
EOG	electro-oculogram
EPP	endplate potential
ERG	eletroretinogram
F	Faraday’s constant
F340	fluorescence intensity with 340 nm excitation
FI,CO2	inspired CO2 fraction (also FI,J)
FCR	flexor carpis radialis
FDI	first dorsal interosseus (also 1DI)
FDNB	1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (same as DNFB)
FENa	fractional sodium excretion
FF	fast-fatigable (muscle)
FFA	free fatty acids
FFT	fast Fourier transform
FITC	fluorescein isothiocyanate
FM	frequency modulation
FR	fatigue-resistant (muscle)
FSH	follicle-stimulating hormone
FW	formula weight (sum of atomic weights); occasionally given instead of MW; see Sigma catalogue
FWHM	full width at half-maximum (standard abbreviation for optical instruments)
g	acceleration due to gravity
g or G	electrical conductance (make consistent within the paper)
G	thermal conductance
G	universal constant of gravitation (N m2 kg_2)
GFP	green fluorescent protein
GFR	glomerular filtration rate
GH3 cell	clonal pituitary cell
GHK	Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz (GHK equation)
GIP	gastric inhibitory peptide
Glc	glucose (Glu = glutamate)
GLC	gas-liquid chromatography
GLUT2/GLUT-2	glucose transporter 2
GMT	Greenwich mean time
G-6-P	glucose 6-phosphate (only one hyphen in full)
h	inactivation parameter (also hW; in GHK equation)
H & E	H(h)aematoxylin and E(e)osin
Hct	haematocrit
HDTA	1,6-diaminohexane-N,N,N‚,N ‚-tetraacetic acid
HEK 293	human embryonic kidney cell line
HeLa cells	cell line taken from Henrietta Lacks alias Helen Lane
HERG/HERG	human ether-`a-go-go related gene/protein
HP	holding potential (Vh or VH)
HR	heart rate
5-HT1/1A/2/3	5-HT receptor types
I or i	current or single-channel current
	calcium-activated K+ current: IK(Ca) or IK,Ca
	calcium-release activated calcium current: ICRAC
	delayed rectifier K+ current: IK(V)
	slow calcium-activated K+current: IAHP
	short-circuit current: ISC
	slow inward current: ISI
	transient outward current: ITO
	transient outward K+ current: IA
	fast calcium current: iCa,f
	slow calcium current: iCa,s
IBMX	3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine
I.C.	intracarotid (small capitals) also intracardiac (small capitals)
I.C.V.	intracerebroventricular (small capitals)
IJP	inhibitory junction potential
IL-1	interleukin-1
IL-2	interleukin-2 (cell growth factor)
Inc.	incorporated (note stop; cf. Ltd)
InsP2	inositol 4,5-bisphosphate (bis- not bi-)
InsP4	inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate
InsP3/IP3	inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (tris- not tri-)
ISE	ion-selective electrode (see RLIE)
JNai	intracellular sodium flux
Jv	proximal tubular fluid resorption volume
KA	kainate (allowed in titles as part of AMPA/KA)
KB medium	(Kraft-Brühe medium)
KVLQT1/KvLQT1	K+ channel protein
L cell	mouse cell line
L0	initial muscle length
Lo	optimum muscle length
Lp	hydraulic conductivity
LD50	median (or half-maximal) lethal dose
LDH	lactate dehydrogenase
LDL	low-density lipoprotein
LED	light-emitting diode
LH	luteinizing hormone
LHRH	luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone
L-NMMA	NG-monomethyl-l-arginine
L-NNA	N G-nitro-L-arginine
LTP	long-term potentiation
M1, M2 (m1, m2)	muscarinic receptors
Mr	relative molecular mass (use symbol or rel. mol. mass; no units; equivalent to molecular wt)
MABP/MAP	mean arterial blood pressure (no need to change MAP to MABP)
MDCK cell line	Madin-Darby canine kidney cell line
me	methylene (e.g. a,b-meATP)
Me	methyl (e.g. 2MeSATP = 2-methylthioATP)
MEPC	miniature endplate current
MEPP	miniature endplate potential
mEPSP or MEPSP	miniature EPSP
minK	K+ channel protein
MSH	melanocyte-stimulating hormone
MVC	maximum voluntary contraction
MVJ	myocardial O2 consumption (minute volume; clinical usage)
MW	molecular weight (NB no units)
N	normal (small capitals)
N G, N v	G = guanidino (modern, common form); v= the last (older more precise form); either acceptable
Nai+, Nao+	intra- or extracellular Na+
NA	noradrenaline
n.a.	not applicable
NANC	non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic
n.d.	not determined
NEM	N-ethylmaleimide
NG108-15	mouse neuroblastoma –rat glioma cell line
nH, NH	Hill coefficient (subscript optional)
NMDG	N-methyl-D-glucamine
OD	optical density
ORF	open reading frame (molecular biology)
P	posterior (brain co-ordinate)
P	pressure
P	permeability
P0	maximal isometric tension (subscript zero)
Po or Popen	open probability (subscripts ‘oh’ or open)
Pa,CO2	arterial partial pressure of CO2
PA,CO2	alveolar partial pressure of CO2
PET,O2	end-tidal partial pressure of O2
Ptp	transpulmonary pressure
P1, P2	purinergic receptors
Pi	inorganic phosphate
PAS	periodic acid–Schiff reagent
PCr	phosphocreatine
PCV	packed cell volume (haematocrit)
PD	potential difference
pD2	_log EC50
PDBu	4-phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate
PDE	phosphodiesterase
PEEP	positive end-expiratory pressure
PhD	no stops
PHS	Public Health Service (of USA)
PG	prostaglandin
pK	_log of dissociation constant (also pKa; ‘a’ stands for acid)
PKA	protein kinase A (or cAMP-dependent protein kinase)
PKC	protein kinase C
PMSF	phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride
pNa1 or PNa	sodium permeability
PPST	pre- and post-stimulus time (histogram)
PQR	complex heart waves (ECG)
P.R.	per rectum
PSP	postsynaptic potential
PSS	physiological saline (salt) solution
PSTH	post- or peristimulus time histogram
PtdI	phosphatidylinositol
PtdI-P2	phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate
PTX	pertussis toxin
PVC	polyvinylchloride
Q	charge entering a cell through a channel, measured in coulombs, e.g. QNMDA is the charge entering the cell
	through the NMDA channel
QRS complex	heart waves (ECG)
R	universal gas constant
R- (also R-(+)-)	indicates chiral configuration of a molecule
Rin	input resistance
Rmin	fluorescence ratio in absence of Ca2+
Rmax	fluorescence ratio in presence of saturating Ca2+
RACE	rapid amplification of cDNA ends (molecular biology)
RBC	red blood cell
RBF	renal blood flow
RC	circuit resistance–capacitance circuit
REM	rapid eye movement (sleep)
Rh	rhodopsin
Rh 123	rhodamine 123
RIA	radioimmunoassay
RLIE	reference liquid ion exchanger
r.m.s./RMS	root mean square
RMP	resting membrane potential (no need to change to Vrest etc.)
RQ	respiratory quotient
R–R interval	heart period, interval between successive R waves of the ECG
R.S.D.	residual standard deviation (small capitals)
s or S	slope factor
S- (also S-(_)-)	indicates chiral configuration of a molecule
Sa,O2	arterial O2 saturation
SCC	short-circuit current (see current)
SCG	superior cervical ganglion
SCT	spinocervical tract
SEM	scanning electron microscope
SERCA	sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase
SIT	camera silicon intensified camera
SNGFR	single-nephron GFR
SNP	sodium notroprusside
SP	substance P
SR	sarcoplasmic reticulum
SSC	saline–sodium citrate buffer
SSPE	standard sodium phosphate EDTA
STA	spike-triggered average
STPD	standard temperature and pressure, dry
STX	saxitoxin
t	time
T	threshold (e.g. 5T)
T	absolute temperature
T84	human cell line
tpeak	time to peak
TBE	Tris-borate-EDTA (buffer)
CA	trichloroacetic acid
TLC	thin-layer chromatography
TMA	tetramethylammonium
Trizma	tradename for Tris (Sigma)
TTL	transistor–transistor logic
UNaV	absolute sodium excretion
V	potential (also E for equilibrium potentials)
V	velocity
V or V*	may be used for mid-point potential in Boltzmann equation
V50	membrane potential at 50 % inactivation
Vc	command potential ◊E expiratory flow
Vh	holding potential; sometimes VH; do not allow HP
Vm	membrane potential (see also Em)
V0	maximum velocity of shortening (muscle fibres) (subscript zero)
VO2	consumption rate
VCO2	CO2 production rate
Vrev	reversal potential
VT	tidal volume
WT	wild-type
z	valency in Boltzmann equation
Z-	indicates molecular configuration
Ψm	mitochondrial membrane potential
γ	single-channel conductance
λ	wavelength of light
Δ	change in or of. . . e.g. ΔHR = change in heart rate
Π	osmotic pressure
2-D	two dimensional
3-D	three dimensional
3T3 cells	common mouse cell line