title: Differential expression of K+ channel mRNAs in the rat brain and down-regulation in the hippocampus following seizures.
abstract: K+ channels are major determinants of membrane excitability. Differences in neuronal excitability within the nervous system may arise from differential expression of K+ channel genes, regulated spatially in a cell type-specific manner, or temporally in response to neuronal activity. We have compared the distribution of mRNAs of three K+ channel genes, Kv1.1, Kv1.2, and Kv4.2 in rat brain, and examined activity-dependent changes following treatment with the convulsant drug pentylenetetrazole. Both regional and cell type-specific differences of K+ channel gene expression were found. In addition, seizure activity caused a reduction of Kv1.2 and Kv4.2 mRNAs in the dentate granule cells of the hippocampus, raising the possibility that K+ channel gene regulation may play a role in long-term neuronal plasticity.
authors.affiliation: Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Francisco 94143-0724.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Tsaur
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sheng
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Lowenstein
authors.forename: Y N
authors.initials: YN
authors.lastname: Jan
authors.forename: L Y
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Jan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D015536:Down-Regulation; D015870:Gene Expression; D005796:Genes; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012640:Seizures / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D015221:Potassium Channels; D012333:RNA, Messenger