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The Journal of Neuroscience, October 22, 2008, 28(43):10803-10813; doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1796-08.2008

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Cellular/Molecular
Modulation of SK Channel Trafficking by Beta Adrenoceptors Enhances Excitatory Synaptic Transmission and Plasticity in the Amygdala

E. S. Louise Faber,¹ Andrew J. Delaney,^1,2 John M. Power,¹ Petra L. Sedlak,¹ James W. Crane,¹ and Pankaj Sah¹

¹Queensland Brain Institute and ²School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD 4072, Australia

Correspondence should be addressed to either of the following at the same address: Pankaj Sah or E. S. L. Faber, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD 4072, Australia, Email: pankaj.sah{at}uq.edu.au or Email: l.faber{at}uq.edu.au

Emotionally arousing events are particularly well remembered. This effect is known to result from the release of stress hormones and activation of β adrenoceptors in the amygdala. However, the underlying cellular mechanisms are not understood. Small conductance calcium-activated potassium (SK) channels are present at glutamatergic synapses where they limit synaptic transmission and plasticity. Here, we show that β adrenoceptor activation regulates synaptic SK channels in lateral amygdala pyramidal neurons, through activation of protein kinase A. We show that SK channels are constitutively recycled from the postsynaptic membrane and that activation of β adrenoceptors removes SK channels from excitatory synapses. This results in enhanced synaptic transmission and plasticity. Our findings demonstrate a novel mechanism by which β adrenoceptors control synaptic transmission and plasticity, through regulation of SK channel trafficking, and suggest that modulation of synaptic SK channels may contribute to β adrenoceptor-mediated potentiation of emotional memories.

Key words: fear; fluorescence microscopy; noradrenergic; norepinephrine; learning and memory; potassium channels

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Received Aug. 11, 2008; accepted Sept. 8, 2008.

Correspondence should be addressed to either of the following at the same address: Pankaj Sah or E. S. L. Faber, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD 4072, Australia, Email: pankaj.sah{at}uq.edu.au or Email: l.faber{at}uq.edu.au

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