Evidence that Compromised K+ Spatial Buffering Contributes to the Epileptogenic Effect of Mutations in the Human Kir4.1 Gene (KCNJ10)

Mutations in the human Kir4.1 potassium channel gene (KCNJ10) are associated with epilepsy. Using a mouse model with glia-specific deletion of Kcnj10, we have explored the mechanistic underpinning of the epilepsy phenotype. The gene deletion was shown to delay K+ clearance after synaptic activation in stratum radiatum of hippocampal slices. The activity-dependent changes in extracellular space volume did not differ between Kcnj10 mutant and wild-type mice, indicating that the Kcnj10 gene product Kir4.1 mediates osmotically neutral K+ clearance. Combined, our K+ and extracellular volume recordings indicate that compromised K+ spatial buffering in brain underlies the epilepsy phenotype associated with human KCNJ10 mutations. (C) 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.