title: Kir subfamily in frog retina: specific spatial distribution of Kir 6.1 in glial (Müller) cells.
abstract: We show by immunocytochemistry in frog retina that most members of the Kir subfamily are expressed in specific neuronal compartments. However, Kir 6.1, the pore-forming subunit of K(ATP) channels, is expressed exclusively in glial Müller cells. Müller cell endfeet display strong Kir 6.1 immunolabel throughout the retina, whereas the somata are labeled only in the retinal periphery. This spatial pattern is similar to that of Kir 4.1, of the ratio of inward to outward K+ currents, and of spermine/spermidine immunoreactivity. We suggest that the co-expression of Kir 4.1 and Kir 6.1 subunits may enable the cells to maintain their high K+ conductance and hyperpolarized membrane potentials both at high ATP levels (Kir 4.1) and during ATP deficiency (Kir 6.1).
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Universidad Central del Caribe, Bayamón, PR 00960-6032, USA.
authors.forename: S N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Skatchkov
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Thomzig
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Eaton
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Biedermann
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Eulitz
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bringmann
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pannicke
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Veh
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Reichenbach
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D051676:G Protein-Coupled Inwardly-Rectifying Potassium Channels; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000378:metabolism*; D024661:Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying; D011894:Rana pipiens / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism*; D012160:Retina / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D014785:Vision, Ocular / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D051676:G Protein-Coupled Inwardly-Rectifying Potassium Channels; D015221:Potassium Channels; D024661:Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying; D011188:Potassium