Expression of BK Ca channels and the modulatory beta-subunits in the rat and porcine trigeminal ganglion.
Large conductance calcium-activated potassium (BK(Ca)) channels contribute to electrical impulses, proper signal transmission of information and regulation of neurotransmitter release. Migraine has been proposed to be a trigeminovascular disease involving the sensory trigeminal pathways and the cerebral arteries. We hypothesize that BK(Ca) channel alpha- and beta-subunits are present in the rat and porcine trigeminal ganglion (TG) thus enabling a role in migraine. BK(Ca) channel mRNA was detected using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and in situ hybridization. BK(Ca) channel protein was visualized by western blotting and histochemistry. The presence of the modulatory beta1-beta 4 subunit mRNAs was investigated using RT-PCR. beta1-, beta2- and beta 4-subunit mRNAs were expressed in rat TG whereas beta2- and beta 4-subunits were detected in porcine TG. Western blotting revealed beta2- and beta 4-subunit proteins in rat and porcine TG. The present study showed BK(Ca) channel expression in rat and porcine TG. The main modulatory beta-subunits detected in TG of both species were beta2- and beta 4-subunits.
Wulf-Johansson
Helle
H
Department of Neurology and Danish Headache Center, Glostrup Research Institute, Glostrup Hospital, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2600 Glostrup, Denmark. helwul02@glo.regionh.dk
Hay-Schmidt
Anders
A
Poulsen
Asser Nyander
AN
Klaerke
Dan Arne
DA
Olesen
Jes
J
Jansen-Olesen
Inger
I
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D015151:Immunoblotting; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D051038:Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channel beta Subunits / Q000378:metabolism*; D051036:Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels / Q000378:metabolism*; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D010784:Photomicrography; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley / Q000378:metabolism*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013045:Species Specificity; D013552:Swine / Q000378:metabolism*; D012668:Trigeminal Ganglion / Q000378:metabolism*; D014981:Xenopus
D051038:Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channel beta Subunits; D051036:Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels; D012333:RNA, Messenger