Region-specific expression of a K+ channel gene in brain.
Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization studies reveal the highly localized expression in rat brain of transcripts from a gene (KShIIIA) encoding components for voltage-gated K+ channels. KShIIIA expression is particularly prominent throughout the dorsal thalamus. The expression of KShIIIA is compared to that of a closely related gene, here called NGK2-KV4. These two genes encode transcripts that induce currents in Xenopus oocytes that are as of yet indistinguishable, but they show very different patterns of expression in rat brain. NGK2-KV4 transcripts are particularly abundant in the cerebellar cortex, where KShIIIA expression is very weak. These results demonstrate the existence of cell-type-specific K+ channel components and suggest that one reason for the unusually large diversity of K+ channel proteins is the presence of subtypes that participate in specific brain functions.
Rudy
B
B
Department of Physiology and Biophysics, New York University Medical Center, New York 10016.
Kentros
C
C
Weiser
M
M
Fruhling
D
D
Serodio
P
P
Vega-Saenz de Miera
E
E
Ellisman
M H
MH
Pollock
J A
JA
Baker
H
H
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001345:Autoradiography; D001483:Base Sequence; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D015870:Gene Expression; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009928:Organ Specificity; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000235:genetics*; D012313:RNA / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D015183:Restriction Mapping; D013462:Sulfur Radioisotopes; D013788:Thalamus / Q000502:physiology*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D015221:Potassium Channels; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D013462:Sulfur Radioisotopes; D012313:RNA