title: Gene transcription of brain voltage-gated potassium channels is reversibly regulated by oxygen supply.
abstract: Voltage-dependent potassium channels (Kv channels) are important determinants of brain electrical activity. Hypoxia may be an important modifier, because several voltage-gated K+ channels are reversibly blocked by acute hypoxia and are thought to act as oxygen sensors. Here we show, using the anoxia-tolerant turtle brain (Trachemys scripta) as a model, that brain Kv1 channel transcription is reversibly regulated by oxygen supply. We found that in turtle brains exposed to 4-h anoxia Kv1 transcripts were reduced to 18.5% of normoxic levels. Kv1 channel mRNA levels were restored to normal within 4 h of subsequent reoxygenation. Our results provide clear evidence that brain Kv channel expression is sensitive to oxygen supply and indicate an important mechanism that matches brain activity to oxygen supply.
authors: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton 33431, USA. hprentic@fau.edu
authors: Howard M
authors: HM
authors: Prentice
authors: Sarah L
authors: SL
authors: Milton
authors: Daniela
authors: D
authors: Scheurle
authors: Peter L
authors: PL
authors: Lutz
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D002534:Hypoxia, Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000502:physiology*; D024642:Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000502:physiology*; D014426:Turtles
chemical_list: D024642:Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D010100:Oxygen