title: Distinct properties of functional KCC2 expression in immature mouse hippocampal neurons in culture and in acute slices.
abstract: A hallmark in the development of GABAergic neurotransmission is the switch in GABA(A)-mediated responses from depolarizing to hyperpolarizing. This occurs due to a gradual decrease in the intracellular concentration of chloride caused by the functional expression of the neuron-specific K-Cl cotransporter KCC2. Whether a mere increase in the amount of KCC2 protein is the rate-limiting step in vivo, or a further activation of the otherwise nonfunctional cotransporter is required, is not clear. Imposing a fixed Cl(-) load via patch pipette we measured the resultant somato-dendritic gradients in reversal potential of GABAergic currents to determine the time course of functional maturation of KCC2-mediated Cl(-) extrusion in two preparations: cultured mouse hippocampal neurons plated at embryonic day 17 and CA1 pyramidal cells in acute slices. We found that in immature neurons in both preparations the gradient is initially small or not detectable. It undergoes an abrupt increase at around days 13-14 in culture, while a more gradual increase occurs between postnatal days 5-14 in slices. Consistent with the presence of a nonfunctional form of KCC2 in immature hippocampal neurons grown in culture, application of the broad-spectrum kinase inhibitor staurosporine produces a rapid and potent up-regulation of KCC2 function in these cultured neurons, but not in neonatal slices. Taken together with our previously published data, these results indicate that the functional activity of KCC2 in vivo parallels the developmental expression of the protein, whereas cultured neurons require an additional activation step (mimicked by staurosporine) for KCC2 to become functional.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Stanislav
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khirug
authors.forename: Kristiina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Huttu
authors.forename: Anastasia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ludwig
authors.forename: Sergei
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Smirnov
authors.forename: Juha
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Voipio
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rivera
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kaila
authors.forename: Leonard
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Khiroug
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D002034:Bumetanide / Q000494:pharmacology; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D018756:GABA Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000502:physiology*; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000166:cytology* / Q000196:embryology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques / Q000379:methods; D010721:Phosphinic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D010782:Photolysis; D011412:Propanolamines / Q000494:pharmacology; D019311:Staurosporine / Q000494:pharmacology; D027981:Symporters / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D013779:Tetrodotoxin / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D000096922:K Cl- Cotransporters
chemical_list: D002034:Bumetanide; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D018756:GABA Antagonists; D010721:Phosphinic Acids; D011412:Propanolamines; D019311:Staurosporine; D027981:Symporters; D013779:Tetrodotoxin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000096922:K Cl- Cotransporters; C085075:CGP 55845A