Activity-independent homeostasis in rhythmically active neurons.
The shal gene encodes the transient potassium current (I(A)) in neurons of the lobster stomatogastric ganglion. Overexpression of Shal by RNA injection into neurons produces a large increase in I(A), but surprisingly little change in the neuron's firing properties. Accompanying the increase in I(A) is a dramatic and linearly correlated increase in the hyperpolarization-activated inward current (I(h)). The enhanced I(h) electrophysiologically compensates for the enhanced I(A), since pharmacological blockade of I(h) uncovers the physiological effects of the increased I(A). Expression of a nonfunctional mutant Shal also induces a large increase in I(h), demonstrating a novel activity-independent coupling between the Shal protein and I(h) enhancement. Since I(A) and I(h) influence neuronal activity in opposite directions, our results suggest a selective coregulation of these channels as a mechanism for constraining cell activity within appropriate physiological parameters.
MacLean
Jason N
JN
Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA. jm2107@columbia.edu
Zhang
Ying
Y
Johnson
Bruce R
BR
Harris-Warrick
Ronald M
RM
D000200:Action Potentials / Q000235:genetics*; D000818:Animals; D001683:Biological Clocks / Q000235:genetics; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005260:Female; D017952:Ganglia, Invertebrate / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000235:genetics; D009154:Mutation / Q000502:physiology; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D009865:Oocytes; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D033521:Palinuridae / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D010507:Periodicity; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D024642:Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated; D012313:RNA / Q000494:pharmacology; D051637:Shaker Superfamily of Potassium Channels; D051672:Shal Potassium Channels; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000235:genetics; D014982:Xenopus laevis
D015221:Potassium Channels; D024642:Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated; D051637:Shaker Superfamily of Potassium Channels; D051672:Shal Potassium Channels; D012313:RNA