Contribution of the Kv3.1 potassium channel to high-frequency firing in mouse auditory neurones.

TitleContribution of the Kv3.1 potassium channel to high-frequency firing in mouse auditory neurones.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1998
AuthorsWang LY, Gan L, Forsythe ID, Kaczmarek LK
JournalJ Physiol
Volume509 ( Pt 1)
Pagination183-94
Date Published1998 May 15
ISSN0022-3751
KeywordsAnimals, CHO Cells, Computer Simulation, Cricetinae, Elapid Venoms, Electric Stimulation, Electrophysiology, In Situ Hybridization, In Vitro Techniques, Kinetics, Membrane Potentials, Mice, Neurons, Patch-Clamp Techniques, Pons, Potassium Channels, RNA, Messenger, Tetraethylammonium
Abstract

1. Using a combination of patch-clamp, in situ hybridization and computer simulation techniques, we have analysed the contribution of potassium channels to the ability of a subset of mouse auditory neurones to fire at high frequencies. 2. Voltage-clamp recordings from the principal neurones of the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body (MNTB) revealed a low-threshold dendrotoxin (DTX)-sensitive current (ILT) and a high-threshold DTX-insensitive current (IHT). 3. IHT displayed rapid activation and deactivation kinetics, and was selectively blocked by a low concentration of tetraethylammonium (TEA; 1 mM). 4. The physiological and pharmacological properties of IHT very closely matched those of the Shaw family potassium channel Kv3.1 stably expressed in a CHO cell line. 5. An mRNA probe corresponding to the C-terminus of the Kv3.1 channel strongly labelled MNTB neurones, suggesting that this channel is expressed in these neurones. 6. TEA did not alter the ability of MNTB neurones to follow stimulation up to 200 Hz, but specifically reduced their ability to follow higher frequency impulses. 7. A computer simulation, using a model cell in which an outward current with the kinetics and voltage dependence of the Kv3.1 channel was incorporated, also confirmed that the Kv3.1- like current is essential for cells to respond to a sustained train of high-frequency stimuli. 8. We conclude that in mouse MNTB neurones the Kv3.1 channel contributes to the ability of these cells to lock their firing to high-frequency inputs.

Alternate JournalJ. Physiol. (Lond.)
PubMed ID9547392
PubMed Central IDPMC2230948
Grant List / / Wellcome Trust / United Kingdom