title: The role of Kv3-type potassium channels in cerebellar physiology and behavior.
abstract: Different subunits of the Kv3 subfamily of voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels (Kv3.1-Kv3.4) are expressed in distinct neuronal subpopulations in the cerebellum. Behavioral phenotypes in Kv3-null mutant mice such as ataxia with prominent hypermetria and heightened alcohol sensitivity are characteristic of cerebellar dysfunction. Here, we review how the unique biophysical properties of Kv3-type potassium channels, fast activation and fast deactivation that enable cerebellar neurons to generate brief action potentials at high frequencies, affect firing patterns and influence cerebellum-mediated behavior.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-9111, USA. rolf.joho@utsouthwestern.edu
authors.forename: Rolf H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Joho
authors.forename: Edward C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Hurlock
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001519:Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008954:Models, Biological; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000502:physiology; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D051670:Shaw Potassium Channels / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D021122:Protein Subunits; D051670:Shaw Potassium Channels