title: Functional interplay between NMDA receptors, SK channels and voltage-gated Ca2+ channels regulates synaptic excitability in the medial prefrontal cortex.
abstract: Synaptic activity in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is fundamental for higher cognitive functions such as working memory. The present study shows that small conductance (SK) calcium-activated potassium channels attenuate excitatory synaptic transmission at layer 2/3 and layer 5 inputs to layer 5 pyramidal neurons in the mPFC. SK channels are located postsynaptically at synapses where they are activated during synaptic transmission by calcium influx through NMDA receptors, L-type calcium channels, R-type calcium channels and by calcium release from IP(3)-sensitive stores. Removal of the SK channel-mediated shunt of synaptic transmission reveals significant NMDA receptor-mediated activation during basal synaptic transmission, which is greater at layer 5 inputs (approximately 30%) than at layer 2/3 inputs (approximately 20%). These findings show that interactions between NMDA receptors, SK channels and voltage-gated calcium channels play a critical role in regulating excitatory synaptic transmission in layer 5 pyramidal neurons in the mPFC.
authors.affiliation: Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia. l.faber@uq.edu.au
authors.forename: E S L
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Faber
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type / Q000502:physiology; D020908:Calcium Channels, R-Type / Q000502:physiology; D002450:Cell Communication; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D024642:Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated / Q000502:physiology*; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D017966:Pyramidal Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000502:physiology*; D051640:Small-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type; D020908:Calcium Channels, R-Type; D024642:Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D051640:Small-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels; D002118:Calcium