期刊
HEARING RESEARCH
卷 181, 期 1-2, 页码 20-26出版社
ELSEVIER
DOI: 10.1016/S0378-5955(03)00162-X
关键词
inner car; KCNK1; 2P-domain K+ channel; immunocytochemistry; confocal microscopy
K+ channels in the inner ear regulate the secretion and homeostasis of K+, i.e. the flux of K+ ions required to ensure good mechanosensory transduction. We studied the expression and cellular localization of TWIK-1 and TWIK-2, two-pore-domain K+ channels responsible for background K+ currents. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction showed that TWIK-1 mRNA is present in the vestibular end organs, vestibular ganglion and cochlea. In contrast, the TWIK-2 mRNA was not detected in the inner ear. Immunocytochemical experiments using confocal microscopy showed that TWIK-1 is specifically localized in 'non-sensory' cells of the inner ear, in the dark cells of the vestibule and in the strial marginal cells of the cochlea. All of these cell types secrete and regulate the K+ endolymph production and homeostasis. The labeling was strictly limited to the apical membranes of these cells. TWIK-1 was also detected in the cytoplasm of the large neurons of vestibular ganglion and their fibers. The finding that TWIK-1 is specifically distributed in certain areas of the inner ear suggests that this type of K+ channel plays a role in the regulation of K+ homeostasis in dark cells and in strial marginal cells. This role has yet to be identified. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
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