Expression of tandem P domain K+ channel, TREK-1, in the rat carotid body.
TREK-1 is one of the important potassium channels for regulating membrane excitability. To examine the distribution of TREK-1 in the rat carotid body, we performed RT-PCR for mRNA expression and in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry for tissue distribution of TREK-1. RT-PCR detected mRNA expression of TREK-1 in the carotid body. Furthermore, in situ hybridization revealed the localization of TREK-1 mRNA in the glomus cells. TREK-1 immunoreactivity was mainly distributed in the glomus cells and nerve fibers in the carotid body. TREK-1 may modulate potassium current of glomus cells and/or afferent nerve endings in the rat carotid body.
Yamamoto
Y
Y
Laboratory of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Iwate University, Morioka, Iwate 080-8550, Japan. yyoshio@iwate-u.ac.jp
Taniguchi
K
K
D000818:Animals; D002344:Carotid Body / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D024683:Potassium Channels, Tandem Pore Domain / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D024683:Potassium Channels, Tandem Pore Domain; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C103742:potassium channel protein TREK-1