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The Journal of Neuroscience, February 1, 2001, 21(3):1067-1075
Heterogeneity in the Basic Membrane Properties of Postnatal
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Neurons in the Mouse
Joan A.
Sim,
Michael J.
Skynner, and
Allan E.
Herbison
Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge
CB2 4AT, United Kingdom
The electrophysiological characteristics of unmodified, postnatal
gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons in the female mouse were
studied using whole-cell recordings and single-cell RT-PCR
methodology. The GnRH neurons of adult animals fired action potentials
and exhibited distinguishable voltage-current relationships in
response to hyperpolarizing and depolarizing current injections. On the
basis of their patterns of inward rectification, rebound depolarization, and ability to fire repetitively, GnRH neurons in
intact adult females were categorized into four cell types (type I,
48%; type II, 36%; type III, 11%; type IV, 5%). The GnRH neurons of juvenile animals (15-22 d) exhibited passive membrane properties similar to those of adult GnRH neurons, although
only type I (61%) and type II (7%) cells were encountered, in
addition to a group of "silent-type" GnRH neurons (32%) that were
unable to fire action potentials. A massive, action
potential-independent tonic GABA input, signaling through the
GABAA receptor, was present at all ages.
Afterdepolarization and afterhyperpolarization potentials (AHPs) were
observed after single action potentials in subpopulations of each GnRH
neuron type. Tetrodotoxin (TTX)-independent calcium spikes, as well as
AHPs, were encountered more frequently in juvenile GnRH neurons
compared with adults. These observations demonstrate the existence of
multiple layers of functional heterogeneity in the firing properties of
GnRH neurons. Together with pharmacological experiments, these findings
suggest that potassium and calcium channels are expressed in a
differential manner within the GnRH phenotype. This heterogeneity
occurs in a development-specific manner and may underlie the functional
maturation and diversity of this unique neuronal phenotype.
Key words:
calcium channels; GnRH; LHRH; GABAA; receptor; patch-clamp electrophysiology; potassium channels; puberty
Copyright © 2001 Society for Neuroscience 0270-6474/01/2131067-09$05.00/0
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