M-Like K+ Currents in Type I Hair Cells and Calyx Afferent Endings of the Developing Rat Utricle

Type I vestibular hair cells have large K+ currents that, like neuronal M currents, activate negative to resting potential and are modulatable. In rodents, these currents are acquired postnatally. In perforated-patch recordings from rat utricular hair cells, immature hair cells [younger than postnat...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of neuroscience 2006-10, Vol.26 (40), p.10253-10269
Main Authors: Hurley, Karen M, Gaboyard, Sophie, Zhong, Meng, Price, Steven D, Wooltorton, Julian R. A, Lysakowski, Anna, Eatock, Ruth Anne
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Animals, Newborn
Cellular/Molecular
Hair Cells, Vestibular - drug effects
Hair Cells, Vestibular - growth & development
In Vitro Techniques
KCNQ Potassium Channels - antagonists & inhibitors
KCNQ Potassium Channels - physiology
Nerve Endings - drug effects
Nerve Endings - physiology
Neurons, Afferent - drug effects
Neurons, Afferent - physiology
Potassium Channel Blockers - pharmacology
Potassium Channels - physiology
Rats
Rats, Long-Evans
Saccule and Utricle - drug effects
Saccule and Utricle - growth & development
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Summary:Type I vestibular hair cells have large K+ currents that, like neuronal M currents, activate negative to resting potential and are modulatable. In rodents, these currents are acquired postnatally. In perforated-patch recordings from rat utricular hair cells, immature hair cells [younger than postnatal day 7 (P7)] had a steady-state K+ conductance (g(-30)) with a half-activation voltage (V1/2) of -30 mV. The size and activation range did not change in maturing type II cells, but, by P16, type I cells had added a K conductance that was on average fourfold larger and activated much more negatively. This conductance may comprise two components: g(-60) (V1/2 of -60 mV) and g(-80) (V1/2 of -80 mV). g(-80) washed out during ruptured patch recordings and was blocked by a protein kinase inhibitor. M currents can include contributions from KCNQ and ether-a-go-go-related (erg) channels. KCNQ and erg channel blockers both affected the K+ currents of type I cells, with KCNQ blockers being more potent at younger than P7 and erg blockers more potent at older than P16. Single-cell reverse transcription-PCR and immunocytochemistry showed expression of KCNQ and erg subunits. We propose that KCNQ channels contribute to g(-30) and g(-60) and erg subunits contribute to g(-80). Type I hair cells are contacted by calyceal afferent endings. Recordings from dissociated calyces and afferent endings revealed large K+ conductances, including a KCNQ conductance. Calyx endings were strongly labeled by KCNQ4 and erg1 antisera. Thus, both hair cells and calyx endings have large M-like K+ conductances with the potential to control the gain of transmission.
ISSN:0270-6474
1529-2401
1529-2401
DOI:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2596-06.2006