Small conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels as targets of CNS drug development.
In most central neurons, small conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels (SK channels) contribute to afterhyperpolarizations (AHPs), which control neuronal excitability. The medium AHP has pharmacological properties similar to recombinant SK channels, consistent with the hypothesis that SK channels generate this afterhyperpolarization component. It is still unclear how recombinant SK channels are functionally related to the slow AHP component. Cloned SK channels are heteromeric complexes of SK channel subunits and calmodulin. The channels are activated by Ca(2+) binding to calmodulin that induces conformational changes resulting in channel opening. Channel deactivation is the reverse process brought about by dissociation of Ca(2+) from calmodulin. In the mammalian brain, the three SK channel subunits (SK1-3) display partially overlapping distributions. Most of the higher brain regions such as the neocortex and hippocampus show expression of both genes encoding SK1 and SK2 channels, whereas phylogenetically older brain regions such as the thalamus, basal ganglia, cerebellum, and brainstem show high levels of SK3 gene expression. At present, it is still unclear whether native SK channels are generated as heteromeric or homomeric channels. Peptide toxins such as apamin and scyllatoxin, as well as organic compounds such as quaternary salts of bicuculline, dequalinium, UCL 1684 and UCL 1848 serve as non-specific SK channel blockers. The only known exceptions so far are the scorpion toxin tamapin and the peptide inhibitor Lei-Dab(7), which bind preferentially to SK2. Electrophysiological and behavioral studies indicate that blockade of SK channels by apamin increases excitability, lowers the threshold for the induction of synaptic plasticity, and facilitates hippocampus-dependent memory. The potential value of pharmacological SK channel modulation in various pathological states such as increased epileptiform activity, cognitive impairment, pain, mood disorders and schizophrenia will be discussed.
Blank
Thomas
T
Department of Molecular Neuroendocrinology, Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine, D-37075 Goettingen, Germany. blank@em.mpg.de
Nijholt
Ingrid
I
Kye
Min-Jeong
MJ
Spiess
Joachim
J
D000818:Animals; D001030:Apamin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D015195:Drug Design; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D024681:Potassium Channels, Calcium-Activated / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D051640:Small-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels; D014018:Tissue Distribution
C496894:KCNN1 protein, human; C496897:KCNN2 protein, human; C496896:Kcnn1 protein, rat; C496899:Kcnn2 protein, rat; C496901:Kcnn3 protein, rat; D015221:Potassium Channels; D024681:Potassium Channels, Calcium-Activated; D051640:Small-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels; D001030:Apamin