期刊
BRAIN RESEARCH
卷 1071, 期 1, 页码 54-62出版社
ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV
DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2005.11.078
关键词
calcium-activated potassium channel; iberiotoxin; Period1; KCNMA1; circadian rhythm; mouse
资金
- NIMH NIH HHS [R01MH63341] Funding Source: Medline
Neurons within the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) comprise the master circadian pacemaker in mammals. These neurons exhibit circadian rhythms in spontaneous action potential frequency and in the transcription of core circadian clock genes, including Period1 (Per1). Targeted electrophysiological recordings from SCN neurons marked with a green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter of Per1 gene transcription have previously indicated that K+ currents are critically involved in the expression of neurophysiological rhythmicity. The present study examined the role of large conductance, Ca2+-activated K+ channels (BK) in the daily rhythmicity of mouse SCN neurons. BK-mediated currents were examined in Per1::GFP neurons under voltage clamp using iberiotoxin, a specific BK channel blocker. BK current was a greater proportion of whole-cell outward currents during the night than during the day. Analysis of iberiotoxin difference currents also demonstrated that BK current amplitude and density were greater during the night and that the day/night difference in steady state amplitude was not due to altered inactivation. Single cell RT-PCR demonstrated the presence of the BK channel transcript, KCNMA1, in Per1-expressing neurons. In situ hybridization analysis further showed that KCNMA1 mRNA was rhythmically expressed in the SCN under light:dark (LD) conditions, peaking during the middle of the night phase. Acute inhibition of BK currents blunted the circadian rhythm SCN neuron spike frequency. These results establish that BK channel function is elevated at night, thus altering SCN neuron activity. (C) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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