Zn2+ enhances the intrinsic bursting activity of a rat thalamic relay neuron.
Although zinc ion (Zn2+) reduced the low-threshold T-type Ca2+ current of a rat thalamic relay neuron (TRN), we observed that Zn2+ increased a bursting activity of TRN by altering the generation and maintenance of low-threshold spike (LTS). Interestingly and importantly, Zn2+ shifted dramatically the voltage-dependence of both steady-state inactivation and activation of the transient A-type K+ current (I(A)) to a depolarizing direction. As I(A) is one of the main factors in shaping thalamic LTS, such alterations of gating properties of I(A) would contribute to the enhancement of TRN excitability under Zn2+.
Noh
Jihyun
J
Department of Brain & Cognitive Sciences and Division of Life & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, 11-1 Daehyun-dong, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul 120-750, Republic of Korea.
Choi
Hee-Joo
HJ
Chung
Jun-Mo
JM
D000200:Action Potentials; D000818:Animals; D002712:Chlorides / Q000494:pharmacology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013788:Thalamus / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D015032:Zinc / Q000502:physiology*; D017967:Zinc Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology
D002712:Chlorides; D017967:Zinc Compounds; C016837:zinc chloride; D015032:Zinc