QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

HOME  |   SEARCH  |   ARCHIVE  |   SUBSCRIBE  |   CONTACT  |   HELP

The Journal of Neuroscience, March 7, 2007, 27(10):2617-2627; doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.5308-06.2007

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit an eLetter Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Web of Science (7) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Yang, B. Articles by Kaczmarek, L. K. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Yang, B. Articles by Kaczmarek, L. K. Pubmed/NCBI databases Gene GEO Profiles HomoloGene Protein UniGene Compound via MeSH Substance via MeSH Hazardous Substances DB PHENOL, 2,2'-THIOBIS(4,6-DICHLORO)- SODIUM

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

Cellular/Molecular
Slack and Slick K_Na Channels Regulate the Accuracy of Timing of Auditory Neurons

Bo Yang,¹ Rooma Desai,¹ and Leonard K. Kaczmarek^1,2

Departments of ¹Pharmacology and ²Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520

Correspondence should be addressed to Dr. Leonard K. Kaczmarek, Department of Pharmacology, 333 Cedar Street, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520. Email: leonard.kaczmarek{at}yale.edu

The Slack (sequence like a calcium-activated K channel) and Slick (sequence like an intermediate conductance K channel) genes, which encode sodium-activated K⁺ (K_Na) channels, are expressed at high levels in neurons of the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body (MNTB) in the auditory brainstem. These neurons lock their action potentials to incoming stimuli with a high degree of temporal precision. Channels with unitary properties similar to those of Slack and/or Slick channels, which are gated by [Na⁺]_i and [Cl^–]_i and by changes in cytoplasmic ATP levels, are present in MNTB neurons. Manipulations of the level of K_Na current in MNTB neurons, either by increasing levels of internal Na⁺ or by exposure to a pharmacological activator of Slack channels, significantly enhance the accuracy of timing of action potentials at high frequencies of stimulation. These findings suggest that such fidelity of timing at high frequencies may be attributed in part to high-conductance K_Na channels.

Key words: Na⁺-activated K⁺ (K_Na) channels; medial nucleus of the trapezoid body (MNTB); patch clamp; computer simulations; synaptic transmission; immunohistochemistry

---

Received Sept. 27, 2006; revised Jan. 28, 2007; accepted Feb. 1, 2007.

Correspondence should be addressed to Dr. Leonard K. Kaczmarek, Department of Pharmacology, 333 Cedar Street, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520. Email: leonard.kaczmarek{at}yale.edu

This article has been cited by other articles:

				K. E. Gardam and N. S. Magoski Regulation of Cation Channel Voltage and Ca2+ Dependence by Multiple Modulators J Neurophysiol, July 1, 2009; 102(1): 259 - 271. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. Chen, J. Kronengold, Y. Yan, V.-R. Gazula, M. R. Brown, L. Ma, G. Ferreira, Y. Yang, A. Bhattacharjee, F. J. Sigworth, et al. The N-Terminal Domain of Slack Determines the Formation and Trafficking of Slick/Slack Heteromeric Sodium-Activated Potassium Channels J. Neurosci., April 29, 2009; 29(17): 5654 - 5665. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. R. Brown, J. Kronengold, V.-R. Gazula, C. G. Spilianakis, R. A. Flavell, C. A. A. von Hehn, A. Bhattacharjee, and L. K. Kaczmarek Amino-termini isoforms of the Slack K+ channel, regulated by alternative promoters, differentially modulate rhythmic firing and adaptation J. Physiol., November 1, 2008; 586(21): 5161 - 5179. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Johnston, S. J. Griffin, C. Baker, A. Skrzypiec, T. Chernova, and I. D. Forsythe Initial segment Kv2.2 channels mediate a slow delayed rectifier and maintain high frequency action potential firing in medial nucleus of the trapezoid body neurons J. Physiol., July 15, 2008; 586(14): 3493 - 3509. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home  |   Search  |   Archive  |   Subscribe  |   Contact  |   Help