title: Noradrenergic depression of neuronal excitability in the entorhinal cortex via activation of TREK-2 K+ channels.
abstract: The entorhinal cortex is closely associated with the consolidation and recall of memories, Alzheimer disease, schizophrenia, and temporal lobe epilepsy. Norepinephrine is a neurotransmitter that plays a significant role in these physiological functions and neurological diseases. Whereas the entorhinal cortex receives profuse noradrenergic innervations from the locus coeruleus of the pons and expresses high densities of adrenergic receptors, the function of norepinephrine in the entorhinal cortex is still elusive. Accordingly, we examined the effects of norepinephrine on neuronal excitability in the entorhinal cortex and explored the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms. Application of norepinephrine-generated hyperpolarization and decreased the excitability of the neurons in the superficial layers with no effects on neuronal excitability in the deep layers of the entorhinal cortex. Norepinephrine-induced hyperpolarization was mediated by alpha(2A) adrenergic receptors and required the functions of Galpha(i) proteins, adenylyl cyclase, and protein kinase A. Norepinephrine-mediated depression on neuronal excitability was mediated by activation of TREK-2, a type of two-pore domain K(+) channel, and mutation of the protein kinase A phosphorylation site on TREK-2 channels annulled the effects of norepinephrine. Our results indicate a novel action mode in which norepinephrine depresses neuronal excitability in the entorhinal cortex by disinhibiting protein kinase A-mediated tonic inhibition of TREK-2 channels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58203.
authors.forename: Zhaoyang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.forename: Pan-Yue
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.forename: Lalida
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rojanathammanee
authors.forename: Chuanxiu
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Laurel
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Grisanti
authors.forename: Kannika
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Permpoonputtana
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Weinshenker
authors.forename: Van A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Doze
authors.forename: James E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Porter
authors.forename: Saobo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lei
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D017868:Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D018728:Entorhinal Cortex / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D019206:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gi-Go / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D024683:Potassium Channels, Tandem Pore Domain / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D018341:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: C547768:ADRA2A protein, human; C547769:Adra2a protein, mouse; C547770:Adra2a protein, rat; C503444:Kcnk10 protein, rat; D024683:Potassium Channels, Tandem Pore Domain; D018341:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2; D017868:Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases; D019206:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gi-Go; D009638:Norepinephrine