Distribution of M-channel subunits KCNQ2 and KCNQ3 in rat hippocampus

Felicia Klinger, Georgianna Gould, Stefan Boehm, Mark S. Shapiro

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

40 Scopus citations

Abstract

Neuronal M-channels are low threshold, slowly activating and non-inactivating, voltage dependent K + channels that play a crucial role in controlling neuronal excitability. The native M-channel is composed of heteromeric or homomeric assemblies of subunits belonging to the Kv7/KCNQ family, with KCNQ2/3 heteromers being the most abundant form. KCNQ2 and KCNQ3 subunits have been found to be expressed in various neurons in the central and peripheral nervous system of rodents and humans. Previous evidence shows preferential localization of both subunits to axon initial segments, somata and nodes of Ranvier. In this work, we show the distribution and co-localization of KCNQ2 and KCNQ3 subunits throughout the hippocampal formation, via immunostaining experiments on unfixed rat brain slices and confocal microscopy. We find intense localization and colocalization to the axonal initial segment in several regions of the hippocampus, as well as staining for non-neuronal cells in the area of the lateral ventricle. We did not observe colocalization of KCNQ2 or KCNQ3 with the presynaptic protein, synaptophysin.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)761-769
Number of pages9
JournalNeuroImage
Volume58
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1 2011

Keywords

  • Confocal microscopy
  • Hippocampus
  • Immunostaining
  • M channel
  • Neurophysiology

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neurology
  • Cognitive Neuroscience

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