title: Differential distribution of the sodium-activated potassium channels slick and slack in mouse brain.
abstract: The sodium-activated potassium channels Slick (Slo2.1, KCNT2) and Slack (Slo2.2, KCNT1) are high-conductance potassium channels of the Slo family. In neurons, Slick and Slack channels are involved in the generation of slow afterhyperpolarization, in the regulation of firing patterns, and in setting and stabilizing the resting membrane potential. The distribution and subcellular localization of Slick and Slack channels in the mouse brain have not yet been established in detail. The present study addresses this issue through in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Both channels were widely distributed and exhibited distinct distribution patterns. However, in some brain regions, their expression overlapped. Intense Slick channel immunoreactivity was observed in processes, varicosities, and neuronal cell bodies of the olfactory bulb, granular zones of cortical regions, hippocampus, amygdala, lateral septal nuclei, certain hypothalamic and midbrain nuclei, and several regions of the brainstem. The Slack channel showed primarily a diffuse immunostaining pattern, and labeling of cell somata and processes was observed only occasionally. The highest Slack channel expression was detected in the olfactory bulb, lateral septal nuclei, basal ganglia, and distinct areas of the midbrain, brainstem, and cerebellar cortex. In addition, comparing our data obtained from mouse brain with a previously published study on rat brain revealed some differences in the expression and distribution of Slick and Slack channels in these species. J. Comp. Neurol. 524:2093-2116, 2016. © 2015 The Authors The Journal of Comparative Neurology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
authors.affiliation: Division of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rizzi
authors.affiliation: Division of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Hans-Günther
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Knaus
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schwarzer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D057809:HEK293 Cells; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000081033:Potassium Channels, Sodium-Activated; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: C518649:Kcnt2 protein, mouse; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D015221:Potassium Channels; D000081033:Potassium Channels, Sodium-Activated; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C479624:Slo2 protein, mouse
keywords: KCNT1; KCNT2; Slo2 channels; distribution; expression; mouse brain