title: Molecular determinants of Ca2+-dependent K+ channel function in rat dorsal vagal neurones.
abstract: Using in situ hybridisation histochemistry in combination with patch-clamp recordings and specific pharmacological tools, the molecular nature of the channels underlying Ca2+-dependent K+ currents was determined in dorsal vagal neurones (DVNs) of rat brainstem slices. In situ hybridisation analysis at cellular resolution revealed the presence of 'big'-conductance Ca2+- and voltage-activated K+ (BK) channel alpha-subunit mRNA, and of only one 'small'-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (SK) channel subunit transcript, SK3, at very high levels in DVNs. By contrast, SK1 and SK2 mRNAs were below the threshold limit of detection. The SK channel-mediated after-hyperpolarising current (IAHP) was blocked by apamin with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration of approximately 2.2 nM. This is consistent with homomultimeric SK3 channels mediating IAHP in DVNs. IAHP was also blocked by scyllatoxin (20-30 nM) and curare (100-200 microM). Application of apamin (100 nM) or scyllatoxin (20 nM) invariably caused a substantial increase to 146.1 +/- 10.4 and 181.8 +/- 12.9 % of control, respectively, in the spontaneous firing rate of DVNs. Action potential duration was not affected by these SK channel blockers. The selective BK channel blocker iberiotoxin (50 nM) increased action potential duration by 22.5 +/- 7.3 %, as did low concentrations of tetraethylammonium (0.5 mM; 99.3 +/- 16.4 %) and the Ca2+ channel blocker Cd2+ (100 microM; 49.5 +/- 20.9 %). BK channel blockade did not significantly affect the firing rate of DVNs. These results allow us to establish a tight correlation between the properties of cloned and native BK and SK channels, and to achieve an understanding, at the molecular level, of their role in regulating the spontaneous firing frequency and in shaping single action potentials of central neurones.
authors.affiliation: Max-Planck-Institut fur experimentelle Medizin, Department of Molecular Biology of Neuronal Signals, Hermann-Rein-Strasse 3 and II. Physiologisches Institut, Universitat Gottingen, Humboldtallee 23, 37075 Gottingen, Germany. ppedarz@gwdg.de
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pedarzani
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kulik
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Muller
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ballanyi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stocker
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D001030:Apamin / Q000494:pharmacology; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D004594:Electrophysiology; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D051037:Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channel alpha Subunits; D051036:Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D024681:Potassium Channels, Calcium-Activated; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012604:Scorpion Venoms / Q000494:pharmacology; D051640:Small-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: C496896:Kcnn1 protein, rat; C496899:Kcnn2 protein, rat; C496901:Kcnn3 protein, rat; D051037:Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channel alpha Subunits; D051036:Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels; D015221:Potassium Channels; D024681:Potassium Channels, Calcium-Activated; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012604:Scorpion Venoms; D051640:Small-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels; C056574:leiurotoxin I; D001030:Apamin