title: Reciprocal regulation of epileptiform neuronal oscillations and electrical synapses in the rat hippocampus.
abstract: Gap junction (GJ) channels have been recognized as an important mechanism for synchronizing neuronal networks. Herein, we investigated the participation of GJ channels in the pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (SE) by analyzing electrophysiological activity following the blockade of connexins (Cx)-mediated communication. In addition, we examined the regulation of gene expression, protein levels, phosphorylation profile and distribution of neuronal Cx36, Cx45 and glial Cx43 in the rat hippocampus during the acute and latent periods. Electrophysiological recordings revealed that the GJ blockade anticipates the occurrence of low voltage oscillations and promotes a marked reduction of power in all analyzed frequencies.Cx36 gene expression and protein levels remained stable in acute and latent periods, whereas upregulation of Cx45 gene expression and protein redistribution were detected in the latent period. We also observed upregulation of Cx43 mRNA levels followed by changes in the phosphorylation profile and protein accumulation. Taken together, our results indisputably revealed that GJ communication participates in the epileptiform activity induced by pilocarpine. Moreover, considering that specific Cxs undergo alterations through acute and latent periods, this study indicates that the control of GJ communication may represent a focus in reliable anti-epileptogenic strategies.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Núcleo de Cognição e Sistemas Complexos, Centro de Matemática, Computação e Cognição, Universidade Federal do ABC, São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Erika R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Kinjo
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Núcleo de Cognição e Sistemas Complexos, Centro de Matemática, Computação e Cognição, Universidade Federal do ABC, São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Guilherme S V
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Higa
authors.affiliation: Instituto Internacional de Neurociência de Natal Edmond e Lily Safra, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.
authors.forename: Edgard
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Morya
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Neurociências - LIM 01, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Angela C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Valle
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Núcleo de Cognição e Sistemas Complexos, Centro de Matemática, Computação e Cognição, Universidade Federal do ABC, São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alexandre H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Kihara
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luiz R G
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Britto
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017630:Connexins / Q000378:metabolism; D054351:Electrical Synapses / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014277:Trigeminal Neuralgia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D017630:Connexins; D012333:RNA, Messenger