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Previous Article | Next Article 
The Journal of Neuroscience, October 1, 2001, 21(19):7491-7505
CNS Distribution of Members of the Two-Pore-Domain (KCNK)
Potassium Channel Family
Edmund M.
Talley1,
Guillermo
Solórzano1,
Qiubo
Lei1,
Donghee
Kim2, and
Douglas A.
Bayliss1
1 Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia,
Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, and 2 Department of
Physiology and Biophysics, Finch University of Health Sciences, The
Chicago Medical School, North Chicago, Illinois 60064
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ABSTRACT |
Two-pore-domain potassium (K+)
channels are substrates for resting K+ currents in
neurons. They are major targets for endogenous modulators, as well as
for clinically important compounds such as volatile anesthetics. In the
current study, we report on the CNS distribution in the rat and mouse
of mRNA encoding seven two-pore-domain K+ channel
family members: TASK-1 (KCNK3), TASK-2 (KCNK5), TASK-3 (KCNK9), TREK-1
(KCNK2), TREK-2 (KCNK10), TRAAK (KCNK4), and TWIK-1 (KCNK1). All of
these genes were expressed in dorsal root ganglia, and for all of the
genes except TASK-2, there was a differential distribution
in the CNS. For TASK-1, highest mRNA accumulation was seen in the
cerebellum and somatic motoneurons. TASK-3 was much more widely
distributed, with robust expression in all brain regions, with
particularly high expression in somatic motoneurons, cerebellar granule
neurons, the locus ceruleus, and raphe nuclei and in various
nuclei of the hypothalamus. TREK-1 was highest in the striatum and in
parts of the cortex (layer IV) and hippocampus (CA2 pyramidal neurons).
mRNA for TRAAK also was highest in the cortex, whereas expression of
TREK-2 was primarily restricted to the cerebellar granule cell
layer. There was widespread distribution of TWIK-1, with highest levels
in the cerebellar granule cell layer, thalamic reticular nucleus, and
piriform cortex. The differential expression of each of these genes
likely contributes to characteristic excitability properties in
distinct populations of neurons, as well as to diversity in their
susceptibility to modulation.
Key words:
potassium channel; in situ hybridization; KCNK; TASK; TREK; TRAAK; TWIK
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INTRODUCTION |
As their name suggests, "leak"
potassium (K+) channels are
K+-selective and show relatively little
time and voltage dependence. In neurons, they are a major determinant
not only of membrane potential but also membrane input resistance,
which is a primary factor in the magnitude and kinetics of responses to
synaptic inputs. Thus, they are a key component in shaping the
characteristics of neuronal excitability.
A family of genes (designated KCNK by the Human Genome Organization)
that gives rise to leak K+ channels has
been identified, and over the last few years, a number of the family
members have been cloned and characterized (for review, see Lesage and
Lazdunski, 2000 ; Goldstein et al., 2001 ; Patel and Honore, 2001 ). These
"two-pore-domain" K+ channels are
named for their predicted membrane topology, which entails four
transmembrane-spanning regions surrounding two pore-forming loops. They
differ structurally from members of the other major potassium channel
families [the voltage-gated (KV) and inwardly rectifying (KIR) K+
channels], which consist of subunits that contain only one pore domain each.
Currently, 11 mammalian two-pore-domain
K+ channel family members have been
demonstrated to form functional channels at the plasma membrane; of
these, eight are expressed at appreciable levels in the CNS (see
Discussion). The physiological similarity of these channels and their
rather nondescript properties are suggestive of an invariant background
role in cellular function. However, these channels appear to represent
important loci for modulation of neuronal output as a result of the
actions of a host of endogenous and exogenous agents (for review, see
Lesage and Lazdunski, 2000 ; Goldstein et al., 2001 ; Patel and Honore, 2001 ). Such agents include neurotransmitters, common intracellular second messengers, a variety of bioactive lipids, and a number of
clinically valuable anesthetic and neuroprotective compounds. Moreover,
these channels are subject to regulation by changes in biologically
important physicochemical parameters, including variations in
temperature, intracellular/extracellular pH, oxygen tension, and
changes in osmolarity and/or membrane stretch (for review, see Lesage
and Lazdunski, 2000 ; Goldstein et al., 2001 ; Patel and Honore, 2001 ).
In addition, there is evidence that one of these channels (TASK-1) is a
locus of modulation, in the form of compensatory expression, in neurons
of mice with genetic deletions of specific GABA receptor subunits
(Brickley et al., 2001 ).
The fact that these channels are subject to alteration from so many
different sources makes them interesting from the standpoint of CNS
function. Furthermore, differential modulation is a source of
heterogeneity among two-pore-domain K+
channel family members and is likely to contribute to diversity in
pharmacological and physiological properties of CNS neurons. For each
of these channels, there are data regarding CNS expression; however, in
most cases, there is little detail regarding precise cellular and
regional distribution. To further understand the nature of their
actions in the CNS, we have localized the expression of seven of the
two-pore-domain K+ channel family members
by in situ hybridization.
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MATERIALS AND METHODS |
Tissue preparation
Adult male rats (200-350 gm) from two strains, Wistar (Harlan,
Indianapolis, IN) and Sprague Dawley (Hilltop Lab Animals, Scottdale, PA), and C57BL/6J mice (The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor,
ME) were anesthetized with ketamine-xylazine and decapitated. Brains,
spinal cords, and ganglia were removed and frozen on dry ice. Sections
(10 µm) were thaw mounted onto charged slides (Superfrost Plus;
Fisher Scientific, Houston, TX) and stored at 80°C for in
situ hybridization. Hybridization was performed as described previously (Talley et al., 2000 ). Sections were fixed very briefly (5 min) in 4% paraformaldehyde, rinsed repeatedly in PBS, treated successively with glycine (0.2% in PBS) and acetic anhydride (0.25% in 0.1 M triethanolamine, 0.9% saline, pH 8),
and dehydrated in a graded series of ethanols and chloroform.
Hybridization was performed overnight at 60°C in a buffer of 50%
formamide, 4× SSC (1× SSC: 150 mM NaCl and 15 mM sodium citrate, pH 7), 1× Denhardt's solution (0.02% each of Ficoll, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and bovine serum
albumin), 10% dextran sulfate, 100 mM DTT, 250 µg/ml yeast tRNA, and 0.5 mg/ml salmon testes DNA. After
hybridization, slides were washed through two changes of 4× SSC,
treated with RNase A (50 µg/ml), washed again through two changes
each of 2× SSC and 0.5× SSC, and finally subjected to a
high-stringency wash of 0.1× SSC. Each of these washes lasted 20-30
min. They were performed at 37°C and included 10 mM sodium thiosulphate, with the exception of the
high-stringency wash, which was performed at 55°C (no sodium
thiosulphate). In control experiments, the high-stringency wash was
performed at different temperatures and included 25% formamide (see below).
Radioactive probes
cRNA probes were transcribed using SP6 or T7 RNA polymerase, as
indicated, in the presence of
[ -33P]UTP. The templates for
transcription were as follows.
TASK-1. The coding region of rat TASK-1 [obtained from
A. T. Gray (University of California, San Francisco, CA);
GenBank accession number AF031384; Leonoudakis et al., 1998 ] was
ligated into pcDNA3 (Invitrogen, San Diego, CA) using EcoRI
and ApaI, and linearized with HindIII for
transcription using SP6 RNA polymerase. A corresponding sense probe was
produced by linearizing with EcoRI and transcribing with T7.
TASK-2. A mouse clone corresponding to the coding region of
TASK-2 was obtained by PCR using an expressed sequence tag clone as a
template (GenBank accession number AW321680; obtained from Incyte
Genomics, St. Louis, MO) and ligated into pcDNA3 using BamHI
and XhoI. The resulting construct was cut with
HindIII and transcribed with SP6. A corresponding sense
probe was generated by linearizing with XhoI and
transcribing with T7.
TASK-3. The coding region of rat TASK-3 was produced by PCR
using cloned TASK-3 cDNA as a template (GenBank accession number AF192366; Kim et al., 2000 ) and ligated into pcDNA3 using
BamHI and EcoRI. The resulting construct was cut
with HindIII and transcribed with SP6. A corresponding sense
probe was generated by linearizing with EcoRV and
transcribing with T7.
TREK-1. cDNA for TREK-1 was generated by PCR from
reverse-transcribed mouse cerebellar RNA using primers from the
sequence originally identified as the mouse TREK-1 coding region
(GenBank accession number U73488.1; nucleotides 484-1596; Fink et al., 1996 ). This PCR product was ligated into pcRII (Invitrogen); the resulting construct lacks the final 90 nucleotides from the C-terminal end of the revised TREK-1 coding region (GenBank accession number U73488.2). The construct was linearized using XhoI and
transcribed using SP6.
TREK-2. A HindIII-EcoRI fragment of
rat TREK-2 (GenBank accession number AF196965; Bang et al., 2000 ) was
ligated into pcDNA3 (in reverse orientation); the resulting construct
was linearized with EcoRI and transcribed with T7. A
corresponding sense probe was generated by linearizing with
HindIII and transcribing with SP6.
TRAAK. A mouse clone of TRAAK (obtained from A. T. Gray) corresponding to nucleotides 266-1480 of the published sequence
(GenBank accession number AF056492; Fink et al., 1998 ) was ligated into pcDNA3 using EcoRI and XhoI, linearized using
HindIII, and transcribed using SP6.
TWIK-1. The coding region for human TWIK-1 [obtained from
M. Lazdunski (Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et
Cellulaire, Valbonne, France); GenBank accession number
NM002245; Lesage et al., 1996 ] was subcloned into pcDNA3 using
EcoRI and XhoI and linearized with
EcoRI for transcription with SP6.
Control experiments
A number of control experiments were performed to establish the
specificity of labeling. These included the use of corresponding sense
probes (for TASK-1, TASK-2, TASK-3, and TREK-2) and separate experiments using specific oligonucleotide probes (for TASK-1, TREK-1,
TRAAK, and TWIK-1). Hybridization with sense probes gave low levels of
nonspecific (background) labeling, as expected. Hybridization with
oligonucleotide probes resulted in the same set of distribution
patterns as the corresponding cRNA probes. The oligonucleotides were as
follows: TASK-1, cgcccaccagcaggtaggtgaaggtgcacacga, cacgaggttgaggaaggcgccgatgaccgtgag, and
gagtactgcagcttctcgcggctcttgtaccag (nucleotides 170-138, 829-797, and
1123-1095 of the cloned rat TASK-1; GenBank accession number AF031384;
Leonoudakis et al., 1998 ); TREK-1, cacaatggtggtcctctgggaaatctcctgagg
and ggagagcttccgcttcacggatgtggcacgctg (nucleotides 726-694 and
1536-1504 of the cloned mouse TREK-1; GenBank accession number
U73488.2; Fink et al., 1996 ); TRAAK, gaaatcctccaggctcttctggctcacacaggg
and ctacaccggcacggccttgtctcggagtcgccc (nucleotides 466-434 and
1480-1448 of the cloned mouse TRAAK; GenBank accession number
AF056492; Fink et al., 1998 ); and TWIK-1,
cccaggccgatggtgctcagggagatgaaacag and ggccacaaaaggctcgttttgcttctgctcctc (nucleotides 731-699 and 1014-982 of the cloned rat TWIK-1; GenBank accession number AF022819).
To further rule out the possibility of spurious cross-reactivity of the
cRNA probes, higher wash stringencies (i.e., final 30 min washes in
0.1× SSC and 25% formamide, at 55°C, 65°C, and 75°C) were used
for control sagittal and horizontal sections. For all probes, these
higher-stringency washes resulted in diminished hybridization, but the
distribution of labeling was unchanged, indicating that for each probe
the same mRNA species was labeled in the various brain regions.
Data analysis and presentation
All slides were exposed to film (Hyperfilm -MAX; Amersham
Pharmacia Biotech, Arlington Heights, IL) for the same length of time
(5 d). The resulting autoradiograms were mounted on a light box and
imaged using a video camera (CCD-72; Dage-MTI, Michigan City, IN). The
same camera settings were used to generate images from each of the
different genes. For resolution of cellular labeling, slides also were
dipped in liquid autoradiographic emulsion (NTB2; Eastman Kodak,
Rochester, NY), exposed for 5 weeks, and examined by low-power
dark-field and high-power bright-field microscopy. Images of silver
grains from these slides were captured using the same video camera
mounted on a Leitz (Wetzlar, Germany) Diaplan microscope.
Pseudocolor images were rendered using image analysis software (MCID;
Imaging Research Inc., St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada) to judge
differential intensity of labeling of autoradiograms. Visual inspection
of emulsion-dipped slides also was used to identify particular cell
types and brain nuclei. Definitions for brain regions and nuclei were
established following brain maps and identifying criteria from Paxinos
and Watson (Paxinos, 1995 ; Paxinos and Watson, 1997 ). A combination of
analysis of autoradiograms and emulsion-dipped slides was used to
establish a comparative distribution of the transcripts, which is
presented as a system of pluses (Table
1), with five pluses (+++++) indicating
maximal signal intensity.
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RESULTS |
Overview
In situ hybridization was performed on brains and
spinal cords using [33P]-labeled cRNA
probes specific for seven of the mammalian two-pore-domain K+ channels. In initial experiments
characterizing the probes, horizontal and sagittal brain sections (as
well as transverse sections through the spinal cord) were used from two
different rat strains, as well as from mice (see Materials and
Methods). Transverse sections were taken through the neuraxis from
adult Wistar rats; these were used for the figures presented in this
report. Information regarding distribution also was verified using
horizontal and sagittal sections.
In addition to the brain and spinal cord, sections were taken
from dorsal root ganglia, in which all seven of the genes were expressed (see below). However, only six of the transcripts displayed differential distribution in the CNS. The exception was TASK-2, for
which labeling was uniformly low, although the intensity was a little
higher than the corresponding sense probe. Because of the low signal
and unremarkable pattern of localization, images of TASK-2 in the CNS
are not presented.
The relative intensities of labeling of the other six transcripts
in the CNS were scored (see Materials and Methods) and are presented in
Table 1. Note that the scoring system and descriptions of the results
are based on a comparison of the relative signal intensities not only
between different brain regions but also between the various probes.
However, it should be understood that the ability to compare levels of
different mRNA species (as opposed to levels of the same mRNA in
different brain regions) is limited, because there are a number of
factors besides cellular mRNA accumulation that can affect
hybridization levels, such as the relative hybridization efficiencies
of the different probes. Therefore, the results presented here reflect
a comparison of mRNA accumulation in different brain regions for each
gene considered separately; comparison of signal intensity generated by
different probes should be viewed with caution.
Non-neuronal expression
For all six of the transcripts expressed in the CNS,
labeling was consistent with neuronal expression, with the exception of
a few regions. This non-neuronal labeling included a number of
ventricular structures, such as the choroid plexus
(ChP), which expressed high levels of TWIK-1
(e.g., Fig.
1H,K,L;
see Fig. 4G), the subfornical organ (SFO), which
expressed high levels of TASK-3 (Fig. 1K), and the
ependymal cells lining the ventricles, which rostrally expressed
moderate-to-high levels of TREK-2 (e.g., Fig. 1N)
(see Table 2 for a complete list of all
abbreviations used). In addition, the pia mater lining the brain
contained message for TREK-1; this labeling could be seen in a number
of sections (e.g., Fig. 1A,G, at
the edge of sections) where the pia mater had been left intact during
tissue preparation. Aside from these structures, labeling was present
in areas rich in neuronal cell bodies but absent in fiber tracts in
which only glial labeling is expected (e.g., Fig. 1L,
ec, int, cc; see Fig. 4).



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Figure 1.
CNS distribution of two-pore-domain channels.
Coronal sections were hybridized with
[33P]-labeled cRNA probes for TASK-1, TASK-3,
TREK-1, TREK-2, TRAAK, and TWIK-1 and exposed to autoradiographic film.
Labeling for TASK-2 in the CNS was uniformly low and therefore is not
presented here. Line drawings on the far right are
adapted from Paxinos and Watson (1997 ; reproduced with permission) and
indicate the relevant labeled areas. For abbreviations, please refer to
Table 2. Scale bar, 3 mm.
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Medulla and spinal cord
The medulla and spinal cord were characterized by
widespread expression of TASK-3, moderate expression of TASK-1, and
generally low expression (with some notable exceptions) of the other
transcripts. This was the case in primary sensory areas of the spinal
cord and medulla (Figs. 1A-C, Sp5 in the
medulla, 2, dorsal horn of the spinal
cord), where all transcripts were low except for TASK-1 and TASK-3,
which were moderate. Cells of the cochlear nuclei (Coch)
expressed moderate levels of TASK-1, TASK-3, and TWIK-1 (Fig.
1C,D). The nucleus of the solitary tract
(Sol), which is associated with visceral sensory
afferents, had moderate-to-high levels of both TREK-1 and TASK-3 (Fig.
1A,B).

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Figure 2.
Spinal cord expression of two-pore-domain
K+ channel transcripts. Transverse sections from rat
cervical spinal cord were hybridized with
[33P]-labeled cRNA probes and subsequently dipped
in liquid autoradiographic emulsion. Silver grains were imaged using
dark-field and bright-field microscopy. Top panels
(A-D) show broad distribution of TASK-1 and
TASK-3, with low-to-moderate accumulations of silver grains over many
neurons. Ventral horn motoneurons were intensely labeled for both
transcripts. In the alternate panels (B,
D), these same motoneurons are shown at higher power
using bright-field optics, with the corresponding cells indicated by
arrows. Bottom panels (E-H) show
dark-field images of labeling for the other transcripts in the spinal
cord. Labeling for these transcripts was lower, although there were
moderate levels of TREK-2 in spinal cord interneuron layers
(F). Scale bar: A,
C, E-H, 400 µm; B,
D, 100 µm.
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Somatic motoneurons expressed high levels of TASK-1 and TASK-3 (Figs.
1A,C,D, 2). Whereas
TASK-3 labeling was uniformly strong, TASK-1 was highest in the motor
trigeminal (Mo5) and in select neurons of the spinal cord
(see also Talley et al., 2000 ). Autonomic motoneurons in the dorsal
motor nucleus (X) and nucleus ambiguous (Amb) also showed high levels of TASK-1 and TASK-3 (Fig.
1A,B).
Neurons in the reticular fields of the medulla and pons (Fig.
1A-E), as well as interneuronal populations of the
spinal cord (Fig. 2), contained moderate-to-high levels of mRNA for
TASK-3 and moderate levels of TASK-1 but lower levels of the other
transcripts. TREK-2 moderately labeled scattered neurons in this region
(particularly in the spinal cord) (Fig. 2), as did TWIK-1. This latter
transcript was expressed at moderate-to-high levels in the lateral
reticular nucleus (Fig. 1A, LRt). Neurons
of the inferior olive (Fig. 1A,B, IO) did not express appreciable levels of any of the transcripts.
Brainstem aminergic nuclei
Raphe nuclei, which contain serotonergic neuronal cell bodies,
showed particularly high expression of TASK-3. This was evident in both
the pons (Fig. 1E, DR, MR) and
the medulla (Fig. 1A,B, ROb, RMg). Low-to-moderate levels of TASK-1 were
found in these regions; this was also the case for TREK-1 in the dorsal
raphe nucleus (DR). The locus ceruleus (LC),
which contains noradrenergic cell bodies, also was characterized by
high levels of TASK-3 and TASK-1 mRNA (Figs. 1D,
3). Note that this nucleus is flanked
laterally by mesencephalic trigeminal (Me5) neurons, which
expressed high levels of TWIK-1 (Figs. 1D, 3; see
below). In contrast to the raphe nuclei and the locus ceruleus,
dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra (SN)
were virtually unlabeled by these transcripts, with the exception of
very low levels of TASK-3 and TWIK-1 (Fig. 1F,G). The ventral tegmental area
(VTA), which also contains dopaminergic neurons, showed
moderate labeling for TASK-3 (Fig. 1F).

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Figure 3.
TASK-1 and TASK-3 show high levels of mRNA
accumulation in the locus ceruleus; TWIK-1 is highly expressed by
adjacent mesencephalic trigeminal neurons. Panels show dark-field
images of coronal sections through the dorsolateral pons corresponding
to autoradiograms in Figure 1D. Arrowheads in
each panel mark the approximate boundary of the locus ceruleus, which
had high levels of labeling for TASK-1 (A) and
was even more densely labeled for TASK-3 (B).
Large mesencephalic trigeminal neurons are located lateral to the locus
ceruleus; these neurons showed high levels of TWIK-1
(arrow in C). Scale bar, 300 µm.
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Midbrain and cerebellum
Other regions of the midbrain also were characterized by
substantial levels of TASK-3 mRNA accumulation. These included the inferior colliculus (Fig. 1D,E,
IC), the red nucleus, R, which also had
low-to-moderate levels of TWIK-1 and TREK-2) (Fig. 1F), and
the pontine nuclei, Pn, which also had high levels of TASK-1 and moderate levels of TWIK-1) (Fig. 1F). There was very
high labeling for TASK-3 in the periaqueductal gray (PAG);
this was particularly evident in the dorsal region (Fig.
1E,F). The interpeduncular nucleus (IP) was labeled by high levels of both TASK-1 and
TASK-3, as well as moderate levels of TREK-1 (Fig.
1F). Two midbrain cell groups were notable for their
high levels of expression of TWIK-1. One was the mesencephalic
trigeminal nucleus (Me5) (Figs. 1D, 3;
noted above). This nucleus contains very large cell bodies of primary
afferent neurons, which are similar in function to neurons of the
dorsal root ganglia. Notably, some of the very large cells in the
dorsal root ganglia also expressed high levels of TWIK-1 (see below).
The other midbrain region expressing high levels of TWIK-1 was the
superior olivary complex (data not shown).
In contrast to the marked differential expression of the CNS
two-pore-domain channel transcripts in most brain regions, the granule
cell layer of the cerebellum (Cer) was characterized by expression of all six genes (Fig. 1A-E). This
expression was extremely high for TASK-1, TASK-3, TREK-2, and TWIK-1
and lower but still appreciable for TREK-1 and TRAAK. TWIK-1 also was
expressed in Purkinje cells and in neurons of the deep cerebellar
nuclei (data not shown); this latter expression was similar to that of
the adjacent vestibular nuclei (Fig. 1C, LVe).
Hypothalamus
The hypothalamus had extremely high levels of TASK-3 in certain
nuclei, along with high levels of TASK-1 and TREK-1. Labeling for
TASK-3 was particularly intense in the dorsomedial nucleus (DM) and the arcuate nucleus (Arc) (Fig.
1H,I), the suprachiasmatic nucleus (Fig. 1K, SCh), and lateral
portions of the mammillary bodies (Fig. 1G,
LM). It also was high, but less dramatically so, in
the medial portion of the mammillary bodies (Fig. 1G,
MM), as well as in the medial preoptic nucleus (Fig.
1L, MPO). Moderate levels were seen in
the lateral hypothalamic (Fig. 1G-K,
LH) and lateral preoptic areas (Fig.
1L, LPO) and in the ventromedial (Fig.
1I, VM) and paraventricular (Fig.
1J,K, Pa) nuclei. TASK-1 had a similar distribution to TASK-3: highest in the dorsomedial and
arcuate nuclei (Fig. 1H,I); in the lateral
portions of the mammillary bodies (Fig. 1G), and in the
medial preoptic nucleus (Fig. 1L), but at lower intensity
levels. TREK-1 also was high in the medial preoptic nucleus (Fig.
1L) and the arcuate nucleus (Fig.
1H,I) and moderate in the
dorsomedial and ventromedial nuclei (Fig.
1H,I). Expression of both
TWIK-1 and TREK-2 was low in the hypothalamus. TRAAK also was low, with
the exception of moderate expression in the ventromedial nucleus (Fig.
1I) and suprachiasmatic nucleus (Fig.
1K).
Thalamus
In the thalamus, the principal relay nuclei had low-to-moderate
levels of all of the transcripts except TASK-3. This transcript was
moderate-to-high in most relay nuclei, including the medial geniculate
(MG), posterior (Po), ventral posterior
(VP), laterodorsal (LD), and anteroventral
(AV) nuclei (Figs. 1F-K,
4). However, labeling for TASK-3 was high
in the ventral portion of the lateral geniculate nucleus (Fig.
1G,H, LG) and was especially prominent in the anterodorsal nucleus (Fig.
1J,K, AD). TASK-1 was
higher in the intralaminar thalamic nuclei, especially in the central medial and reuniens nuclei (Fig.
1I,J). TWIK-1 was found at
very high levels in the thalamic reticular nucleus (Rt),
which forms a shell of GABAergic interneurons surrounding the relay
nuclei (Figs. 1I-K, 4). In addition, this nucleus
had moderate levels of TASK-1 and TREK-1 (Figs.
1I-K, 4). TWIK-1 also was extremely high in the
medial habenula (Fig. 1H-J), although it
should be noted that this labeling primarily was restricted to the
ventral portion of the medial nucleus. Finally, there also was notable labeling for TWIK-1 in the parafascicular thalamic nucleus (Fig. 1H, PF).

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Figure 4.
Expression of two-pore-domain channels in the
thalamus and striatum. Shown are low-power dark-field images of
emulsion-dipped sections through the telencephalon, corresponding to
the film autoradiograms in Figure 1J. The line
drawing (D) indicates the relevant fiber tracts and
brain nuclei (for abbreviations, see Table 2). In the caudate putamen,
there was uniformly high signal for TREK-1 in cells densely distributed
throughout the nucleus (C); these are likely
GABAergic output neurons. In contrast, TASK-3 labeled a set of large,
sparsely located cells, likely cholinergic interneurons, one of which
is marked with an arrow in the dark-field image
(B) and in the corresponding high-power
bright-field micrograph in H. Also note the intense
signal for TWIK-1 in the thalamic reticular nucleus and in the choroid
plexus (G). Scale bar: A-G, 500 µm; H, 25 µm.
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Basal forebrain and amygdala
The basal ganglia were characterized by high expression of
TREK-1 and TASK-3; these two transcripts were distributed in the striatum (CPu) in a manner consistent with two distinctive
cell types (Figs. 1I-N, 4). TREK-1 was evenly
expressed at high levels across the striatum. This dense and relatively
uniform expression is consistent with localization in GABAergic output
neurons, which constitute the vast majority of striatal neurons. In
contrast, TASK-3 was expressed by larger, much more sparsely
distributed cells, a characteristic of cholinergic striatal
interneurons. For both TASK-3 and TREK-1, their respective distribution
patterns extended into the accumbens nucleus (Acb) and the
olfactory tubercle (Tu) (Fig.
1M,N). Expression of the
other transcripts in these regions was low, with the exception of
TASK-1 in the olfactory tubercle, where it was expressed at
moderate-to-high levels in some of the cellular islands (Fig.
1N).
It should be noted that the scattering of TASK-3-labeled neurons seen
in the striatum extended into the region of the basal nucleus
(B), just lateral to the internal capsule
(int), and in the medial portion of the lateral globus
pallidus (GPl) (Fig. 1J,K). This pattern once
again is consistent with TASK-3 expression in neurons of a cholinergic
phenotype, because the basal nucleus contains a diffuse collection of
large (cortically projecting) cholinergic neurons (Fig.
1J,K). TASK-1 labeling was
present at low-to-moderate levels in the lateral globus pallidus (Fig.
1J-L), although in contrast to TASK-3,
this labeling appeared to be uniform throughout the nucleus. Also with
regard to the globus pallidus, TASK-3 and TWIK-1 were expressed at
moderate levels in the medial segment (Fig. 1J,
GPm). Finally, the subthalamic nucleus (STh), another nucleus of the basal ganglia, was characterized by high levels
of TASK-3 and moderate levels of TASK-1 and TWIK-1 (Fig. 1H).
In the more medial nuclei of the basal forebrain, the bed nucleus of
the stria terminalis (BST) contained cells expressing high levels of TASK-3 and low-to-moderate levels of TASK-1 and TREK-1
(Fig. 1L). There were moderate levels of TASK-3 in
the lateral septum (LS) and moderate levels of TASK-1 in the
medial septum (MS) and diagonal band (DB) (Fig.
1M).
In the amygdala, labeling was highest in the cortical nuclei situated
along the ventrolateral surface of the forebrain (Fig. 1F-K). Caudally, these included the
amygdalopiriform transition area (Fig.
1F,G, APir) and the
amygdalohippocampal area (Fig. 1H, AHi),
both of which had high levels of TASK-3 and TWIK-1 and moderate levels
of TASK-1, TREK-2, and TRAAK. TASK-3 and TWIK-1 also were high in the
rostral cortical amygdaloid nuclei (Fig. 1J,K, CoA), whereas the
other transcripts were more moderately expressed. The nucleus of the
lateral olfactory tract (LOT), which is at the
rostral end of the amygdala (Fig. 1K), had high
levels of TASK-3 and TREK-1 and moderate levels of TRAAK. The other
area of note in the amygdala was the medial nucleus (Fig.
1I,J, Me). TASK-3,
TREK-1, and TREK-2 all were more highly enriched in the posterior part
of this nucleus, with TASK-3 at particularly high levels. There was
low-to-moderate labeling throughout the nucleus for TASK-1, TRAAK, and
TWIK-1.
Hippocampus
Hippocampal pyramidal neurons expressed all transcripts but with
differences in distribution (Figs. 1F-J,
5). TASK-1 and TRAAK were
low-to-moderate, with relatively even levels of expression throughout.
In contrast, TWIK-1 showed moderate labeling in CA2 and CA3 but low
levels in CA1, particularly in the caudal sections (Fig.
1F-H). TREK-2 had lower levels of labeling
but also showed more expression in CA3 than CA1.

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Figure 5.
Expression of two-pore-domain channels in
different regions of the hippocampus. Low-power dark-field images of
emulsion-dipped coronal sections through the hippocampus.
A-F show labeling for the six channel mRNAs through the
rostral/dorsal hippocampus; this view corresponds to the film
autoradiograms seen in Figure 1I. Note the
differential distribution through the various pyramidal cell
populations (CA1, CA2, and
CA3), the approximate boundaries of which are marked by
arrowheads. Also, there was TASK-3 labeling in scattered
cells of the nonpyramidal layers (arrow in
C); these are likely hippocampal interneurons.
G and H illustrate differential TASK-3
expression in the ventral/caudal hippocampus compared with the
rostral/dorsal expression illustrated above. G shows
TASK-3 expression in the ventral/caudal dentate gyrus and corresponds
to the ventral portion of the film autoradiogram in Figure
1F. Note that there was particularly intense
labeling of dentate gyrus granule cells in the ventral hippocampus but
very little expression by these cells in the dorsal hippocampus
(C). H shows TASK-3 expression in
the ventral/caudal portion of CA3 and is taken from a section
corresponding to the film autoradiogram seen in Figure
1G. The CA3 pyramidal cell layer is marked by
curved arrows and traverses the entire panel. Note that
there is much more TASK-3 expression in cells in the
bottom (i.e., ventral) part of this panel when compared
with cells in the top part of the panel and when
compared with TASK-3 labeling in CA3 of the dorsal hippocampus
(C). Scale bar, 500 µm.
|
|
For TASK-3, there was a distinct gradient of expression, with more
expression ventrally, particularly in CA3 pyramidal neurons, where
expression was moderate-to-high at the most ventral/caudal (i.e.,
temporal) end of the hippocampus (Figs. 1G,
5H) but nearly undetectable at the rostral/dorsal
(i.e., septal) end (Figs. 1H-J, 5C). This
TASK-3 expression gradient was even more dramatic for dentate gyrus
(DG) granule cells, which were intensely labeled ventrally
(Figs. 1F, 5G) but had only low densities
of silver grains dorsally (Figs. 1H-J,
5C).
The distribution of TREK-1 also was interesting; it was low-to-moderate
in CA1 and almost absent in CA3 but quite high in CA2 and in a limited
region of cells adjacent to the hippocampal commissure (Fig.
1G-I, the most medial portion of the hippocampus). These
two sets of highly expressing cells were conjoined in the very rostral
hippocampus, in a region identified as CA3 (Fig. 1J).
A potentially related set of cells also expressed high levels of
TREK-1: neurons of the indusium griseum (Fig. 1N,
IG). This structure has been hypothesized to be functionally
related to the hippocampus (Paxinos, 1995 ).
There also was expression by cells (presumably interneurons) in
nonpyramidal layers of the hippocampus and in the polymorph layer of
the dentate gyrus. This was particularly notable for TASK-3 but also
was evident for TASK-1, TREK-1, and TWIK-1 (Fig. 5). This labeling was
not noticeably restricted to any particular hippocampal laminas.
Cerebral cortex
The neocortex was associated with high levels of TASK-3, TRAAK,
TWIK-1, and TREK-1 (Figs. 1E-N,
6). In the case of these first three
genes, there was labeling in all cell body layers. This was in contrast
to TREK-1, in which high labeling was restricted to layer IV, and there
was virtually no expression in layers II-III. The pattern for TREK-1
was consistent with expression in layer IV granule neurons, inasmuch as
it was particularly evident in the primary visual and primary
somatosensory cortices (Fig. 1: E, F, V1; H-N, S1), which
contain a high density of this cell type. TREK-2 was low throughout,
although it was somewhat higher in the most caudal (Fig.
1E, V1, Ent) and rostral (Fig.
1O, FrA, Orb) portions of the cortex.
This preferential rostral and caudal labeling also was evident in
sagittal and horizontal sections (data not shown). TASK-1 was expressed
at low-to-moderate levels throughout, but this lower expression was
punctuated by a scattering of more heavily labeled cells, especially in
layers IV and VI (Fig. 6, inset). Also, TASK-3 and TWIK-1
were expressed at higher levels in the outermost layers (II-III) in
the motor cortex (Fig. 1I-N, M)
and in the frontal association cortex (Fig. 1O).

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Figure 6.
Laminar distribution of two-pore-domain
K+ channel transcripts in the neocortex. Shown are
dark-field micrographs of the somatosensory cortex. The relevant cell
body layers (i.e., layer II through layer VI) are indicated on the
right, as is the underlying fiber tract [external
capsule (ec)]. TASK-3, TRAAK, and TWIK-1 could be seen
at appreciable levels in all layers, whereas TREK-1 was highly enriched
in layer IV. TASK-1 was expressed at higher levels in a scattering of
cells, mostly in layers IV and VI. One of these layer VI cells is
marked by an arrowhead and is shown using high-power
bright-field optics in the inset on the
left. Scale bar: 250 µm; inset, 50 µm.
|
|
The allocortex, including cortices on the midline (Fig. 1:
E-J, RS; K-N, CG) and
structures ventral to the neocortex (Fig. 1: F-I,
PRh; J-N, Ins), showed labeling
patterns that were consistent with those of the neocortex, inasmuch as
there were high levels of TASK-3, TRAAK, and TWIK-1 and very low levels
of TREK-2. There were particularly high levels of labeling in the
outermost cell body layers; this pattern was seen for TASK-3, TRAAK,
and TWIK-1 in the retrosplenial cortex (Fig.
1E-J), for TWIK-1 in the cingulate cortex
(Fig. 1K-N), and for TASK-3 in the insular
cortex (Fig. 1J-N). TREK-1 was expressed at
low levels in the perirhinal cortex (Fig.
1F-I) and was virtually absent from the
insular cortex (Fig. 1J-N); this once again
was consistent with expression of TREK-1 in layer IV granule neurons of
the neocortex, because the perirhinal and insular cortices lack a well
developed granule cell layer.
Neurons in the piriform cortex (Pir) were remarkable for the
fact that they displayed moderate-to-high labeling of all six transcripts (Fig. 1H-N). For TREK-1, this
labeling was somewhat higher in more rostral sections. Neurons in the
claustrum (Fig. 1K-N, Cl) and the
dorsal endopiriform nucleus (Fig. 1I-N,
DEn) expressed high levels of TASK-3.
Olfactory system
In the main olfactory bulb (MOB), there once again was
substantial overlap of expression (Fig. 1O). Labeling was
highest for TASK-1 and TASK-3, and these were the only transcripts
found at appreciable levels in the glomerular layer. mRNA for all six
genes was detected in olfactory granule cells, with TASK-1 and TASK-3 at moderate-to-high levels but with TRAAK at only low levels. Expression in the anterior olfactory nucleus (AO) was
notable for TASK-1, TASK-3, TRAAK, and TWIK-1. In addition, the
external segment of this nucleus (data not shown) expressed high levels of TREK-1.
Expression in the dorsal root ganglia
As noted, all seven genes were expressed in dorsal root ganglia
(Fig. 7). TASK-1, TASK-2, and TRAAK each
were expressed by a large proportion of the cells; expression of
TREK-1, TREK-2, TASK-3, and TWIK-1 was much more restricted, although
for each, there were cells with high levels of expression. Expression
of TWIK-1 appeared for the most part to be limited to the very large sensory neurons (Fig. 7H), a pattern also seen in
sensory neurons of the mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus (Fig. 3).

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Figure 7.
Two-pore-domain channel expression in dorsal root
ganglia. As shown by dark-field microscopy, all seven transcripts were
expressed in dorsal root ganglia, and especially high densities of
silver grains were seen for TASK-1 (A), TASK-2
(B), and TRAAK (G). TASK-3
(C) was expressed at high levels but by a much
more limited proportion of the cells. Labeling for TWIK-1 was for the
most part restricted to larger neurons; it is shown at low power in
D, with a higher-power view of the indicated neuron
(arrows) shown in H. Scale bar:
A-G, 400 µm; H, 50 µm.
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KCNK gene expression in the mouse
In addition to the brain sections taken from rat, a few horizontal
and sagittal sections were taken from C57BL/6J mice. Also, mouse
brainstem and spinal cord slices were taken for analysis of TASK-1,
TASK-3, TREK-1, and TRAAK (data not shown). Although a full
distribution could not be obtained with these few sections, it was
clear that there were no gross differences in the expression patterns,
and all of the regions of high expression were identical between the
two species. However, a few subtle differences were apparent. For
TASK-3, there may have been somewhat less labeling in the thalamus and
cerebellum (relative to other brain regions) in the mouse when compared
with the rat. Also, the dorsal-to-ventral gradient of TASK-3 expression
that was clearly evident in the rat hippocampus (see above) was less
apparent in the mouse when comparing expression in sagittal sections
(which contained dorsal hippocampus) with horizontal sections (which
contained ventral hippocampus). This was also the case for TWIK-1
expression in CA1 pyramidal neurons. In addition, there was moderate
TWIK-1 expression in the striatum of the mouse; labeling in this region was low in the rat. There were a couple of slight differences in
expression of TRAAK; in the cortex, it appeared that labeling in mouse
sections was somewhat higher in the outermost layers compared with the
more even laminar distribution of the rat. In the hippocampus, the
TRAAK signal was a bit higher in CA3 pyramidal neurons compared with
those of CA1; this once again was in contrast to the more even
distribution in the rat. No differences were detectable in the
distributions of TASK-1, TASK-2, or TREK-2. The patterns of TREK-1
expression were the same for the two species, except that regions of
high TREK-1 expression in the rat (e.g., striatum, layer IV of the
neocortex, and CA2 pyramidal neurons) were even more strongly labeled
relative to other areas in sections from the mouse.
 |
DISCUSSION |
In this study, we describe the CNS distribution of mRNA encoding
seven two-pore-domain potassium channel family members. We found
widespread and differential distribution of all transcripts except
TASK-2, which was expressed at high levels in the dorsal root ganglia
but was present only at uniformly low levels in the CNS. The expression
of these KCNK genes was to a large extent complementary; nevertheless,
there was substantial overlap of these transcripts in multiple brain
areas and likely in individual neurons. Thus, not only do the data
suggest that these channels contribute to neuronal diversity, but also
that multiple two-pore-domain K+ channels
may provide contributions to the physiological properties and
modulatory potential of individual neurons. In addition, the likely
coexpression of different subunits suggests the possibility of
coassociation (i.e., the formation of heterodimeric channels), particularly by genes that share higher degrees of sequence homology. However, to date there are no reports of heterodimerization among two-pore-domain K+ channel family members.
Currently, 14 two-pore-domain K+ channel
genes have been identified by molecular cloning, although three
(KCNK6/7, THIK-2, and TASK-5) have not generated functional currents in
heterologous expression systems (Salinas et al., 1999 ; Rajan et al.,
2000a ; Girard et al., 2001 ; Kim and Gnatenco, 2001 ). In addition, three (TALK-1, TALK-2/TASK-4, and TASK-5) were cloned very recently from
human tissues; they do not appear to be expressed to an appreciable extent in the human brain, and corresponding rodent orthologs have not
been identified (Decher et al., 2001 ; Girard et al., 2001 ; Kim and
Gnatenco, 2001 ). Of the two remaining genes that we did not examine,
TWIK-2 appears to be absent from the rodent brain (Patel et al., 2000 ).
Thus, in the present report, we describe seven of eight functional
two-pore-domain potassium channel members with known CNS expression.
The exception is the recently cloned THIK-1, which along with the
presumed channel THIK-2, is expressed in multiple brain regions in the
rat (Rajan et al., 2000a ; see below).
Comparison with previous reports
There have been previous brief descriptions of mRNA expression of
these channels in the rodent CNS; our more detailed results are to a
large extent in agreement with these reports. As with the current work,
two reports on TASK-1 show a predominance of mRNA expression in the
cerebellum, in the granule cell layer (Duprat et al., 1997 ; Brickley et
al., 2001 ). For TASK-2, low levels were seen in the CNS by reverse
transcription (RT)-PCR, although in contrast to our results, no
expression was seen in dorsal root ganglia (Gray et al., 2000 ) (but see
Medhurst et al., 2001 ). Also in concordance with our results are two
recent abstracts reporting widespread CNS distribution of TASK-3 by
in situ hybridization, with prominence in many of the same
nuclei described here (Rajan et al., 2000b ; Vega-Saenz de Miera et al.,
2000 ). Our finding that TREK-2 was primarily restricted to the
cerebellum is consistent with previous Northern blot analysis (Bang et
al., 2000 ). Similarly, our findings of high levels of TRAAK in the
cerebral cortex and TWIK-1 in the cerebellum and cortex are in concert
with previous studies (Lesage et al., 1997 ; Fink et al., 1998 ). Also
note that a comparison of the current results with studies using
Northern blotting and/or RT-PCR of tissues dissected from various human brain regions (Chapman et al., 2000 ; Lesage et al., 2000 ; Medhurst et
al., 2001 ) suggests that there is a substantial degree of conservation of expression between humans and rodents. This was particularly evident
when considering regions of maximal expression (TWIK-1, cerebellum;
TREK-1, caudate putamen; TASK-1, cerebellum; TASK-2, dorsal root
ganglia; and TRAAK, cortex).
There were some discrepancies between the current results and previous
work, most notably with regard to TREK-1, which we found to be highest
in the striatum, CA2 of the hippocampus, and layer IV of the neocortex.
This is in contrast to a previous report in which levels in the
striatum were unremarkable, and there was uniform labeling of
hippocampal pyramidal neurons and in the various cortical laminas (Fink
et al., 1996 ). The reasons for these and other discrepancies are not
clear, although it should be pointed out that the distributions we
observed were consistent for rat (using two different strains) and
mouse. Furthermore, we used a number of different controls (see
Materials and Methods), including the use of multiple oligonucleotide
probes (two oligonucleotides each for TREK-1, TRAAK, and TWIK-1 and
three oligonucleotides for TASK-1), each of which yielded a
distribution pattern that was identical to those of the corresponding
cRNA probes.
There are reports of protein localization using antibodies to a few of
these channels, including TRAAK (Bearzatto et al., 2000 ; Lauritzen et
al., 2000 ; Reyes et al., 2000 ), TREK-1 (Bearzatto et al., 2000 ; Hervieu
et al., 2001 ; Maingret et al., 2001 ), and TASK-1 (Kindler et al., 2000 ;
Millar et al., 2000 ). Complete agreement between protein and mRNA
localization is not to be expected for a number of reasons, including
the fact that mRNA in most cases is restricted to the cell soma,
whereas protein can be transported to sites far from the origin of
synthesis (e.g., the axon terminal). In this regard, there is
immunohistochemical evidence that both TRAAK and TREK-1 are targeted in
part to axon terminals (Bearzatto et al., 2000 ) and are present at
synaptic and nonsynaptic sites in cerebellar cultures (Lauritzen et
al., 2000 ). Despite this, there are many regions in which TRAAK and
TREK-1 immunoreactivity correlate with the mRNA expression that we
described here. For TRAAK, cell bodies and neuropil were labeled in
multiple areas of the mouse brain (Reyes et al., 2000 ), including the
cerebral cortex, a region where we found high levels of mRNA. There
were interesting correlations between TREK-1 mRNA expression and
immunoreactivity in a number of areas. For example, intense
immunoreactivity was seen in the pyramidal layer in CA2 of the
hippocampus (Hervieu et al., 2001 ), suggesting that the high levels of
mRNA expression that we found in these neurons results in protein
expression at the cell body and proximal dendrites. Similarly,
immunoreactivity was seen on the cell bodies of GABAergic neurons in
the striatum (Hervieu et al., 2001 ), another region with high levels of
TREK-1 mRNA.
An antibody to TASK-1 also is available; however, in our own work
(E. M. Talley and D. A. Bayliss, unpublished observations) and in a published report (Kindler et al., 2000 ) (see also Millar et
al., 2000 ), it strongly labeled astrocytes, including those located in
fiber tracts such as the external capsule and corpus callosum. As noted
(see Results), we found no evidence for TASK-1 mRNA in any fiber
tracts. Furthermore, for most neuronal populations, this antibody only
gave a faint signal, and there was no labeling of motoneurons, where we
found high levels of TASK-1 mRNA and where there is strong evidence for
functional expression of TASK-1 at the cell soma (Sirois et al., 2000 ;
Talley et al., 2000 ). The reasons for these discrepancies are not clear.
Regions of low expression
There were a number of regions in which there was little
expression of any of these transcripts (e.g., the substantia nigra and
inferior olivary nucleus). In these and other regions, it is likely
that other channels provide requisite K+
conductances for maintenance of baseline membrane properties. In this
regard, it is important to consider the other two-pore-domain family
channels that were not a part of this study (see above). Of these, two
are known to be expressed in the CNS at appreciable levels, THIK-1 and
the presumed channel THIK-2. However, neither of these channels appears
to be enriched in regions identified here as showing low expression for
other two-pore-domain K+ channel
transcripts (Rajan et al., 2000a ). Note also that baseline potassium
conductances can receive contributions from members of the
KIR and KV families (for
example, see Williams et al., 1988 ; Karschin et al., 1996 ). Indeed, a
member of the KV family (KCNQ1) forms a
constitutively active leak channel when coexpressed with certain
regulatory subunits (Schroeder et al., 2000 ; Tinel et al., 2000 ).
Functional correlates in the CNS
Our results support the hypothesis that, as a result of selective
expression, heterogeneity among two-pore-domain
K+ channels contributes to variation in
the physiological properties and modulation of different populations of
neurons. Consistent with our results, TASK-like currents have been
identified in motoneurons and locus ceruleus neurons, as well as
cerebellar granule neurons, by virtue of their sensitivity to pH,
anesthetics, and (in the case of granule neurons) the endocannabinoid
anandamide (Millar et al., 2000 ; Sirois et al., 2000 ; Talley et al.,
2000 ; Maingret et al., 2001 ). In addition, arachadonic acid, which
activates TREK-1, TREK-2, and TRAAK, potentiates baseline
K+ currents in cerebellar granule cells
(Lauritzen et al., 2000 ) and hippocampal pyramidal neurons (Colbert and
Pan, 1999 ). In neurons dissociated from fetal mesencephalon and
hypothalamus (Kim et al., 1995 ), three types of fatty acid- and
stretch-activated K+ channels were
identified based on single-channel properties, two of which appear to
correspond to TREK-1 and TREK-2, respectively (Fink et al., 1996 ;
Maingret et al., 1999 ; Bang et al., 2000 ; Lesage et al., 2000 ). Also
consistent with expression of TREK-1, which is strongly sensitive to
temperature changes below 37°C (Maingret et al., 2000 ), background
K+ currents have been implicated in the
actions of cold-responsive sensory neurons of the dorsal root ganglia
(Reid and Flonta, 2001 ). Finally, a host of neuronal types are subject
to effects of neurotransmitter inhibition of background
K+ currents (McCormick, 1992 ; Rekling et
al., 2000 ), although correlation with specific channel types has only
been made in the case of motoneurons and cerebellar granule neurons
(Millar et al., 2000 ; Talley et al., 2000 ).
In addition to endogenous substances, a number of two-pore-domain
K+ channels are responsive to low
concentrations of volatile anesthetics such as halothane and
sevofluorane (Patel et al., 1999 ; Gray et al., 2000 ; Lesage et al.,
2000 ; Rajan et al., 2000a ; Sirois et al., 2000 ). It has been proposed
that clinical actions of these compounds may result in part from
activation of TASK channels in motoneurons and in locus ceruleus
neurons (Sirois et al., 2000 ), where inhibition of firing would
contribute to immobilizing and hypnotic effects, respectively. Also,
two-pore-domain channels have been proposed as substrates for
neuroprotective agents, including some cellular lipids (Fink et al.,
1998 ; Duprat et al., 2000 ; Lauritzen et al., 2000 ; Meadows et al.,
2001 ). Thus, the value of these channels as targets for therapeutically
important compounds already is evident, and the development of more
selective agents may be of more than experimental benefit.
 |
FOOTNOTES |
Received May 3, 2001; revised July 3, 2001; accepted July 26, 2001.
This work was supported by National Institutes of Health Grants NS33583
(D.A.B.) and MH12091 (predoctoral fellowship to E.M.T.). We thank Drs.
M. B. Harrison, R. L. Stornetta, P. G. Guyenet, and the
Information Technology Services at the University of Virginia for
providing imaging equipment and support. We also thank Drs. A. T. Gray and M. Lazdunski for gifts of cDNAs.
Correspondence should be addressed to Edmund M. Talley, Department of
Pharmacology, University of Virginia Health System, P.O. Box 800735, Charlottesville, VA 22908-0735. E-mail: emt3m{at}virginia.edu.
 |
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25(40):
9162 - 9170.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
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S. E Hopwood and S. Trapp
TASK-like K+ channels mediate effects of 5-HT and extracellular pH in rat dorsal vagal neurones in vitro
J. Physiol.,
October 1, 2005;
568(1):
145 - 154.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
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L. Nie, W. Feng, R. Diaz, M. A. Gratton, K. J. Doyle, and E. N. Yamoah
Functional Consequences of Polyamine Synthesis Inhibition by L-{alpha}-Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO): CELLULAR MECHANISMS FOR DFMO-MEDIATED OTOTOXICITY
J. Biol. Chem.,
April 15, 2005;
280(15):
15097 - 15102.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
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D. Kang, C. Choe, and D. Kim
Thermosensitivity of the two-pore domain K+ channels TREK-2 and TRAAK
J. Physiol.,
April 1, 2005;
564(1):
103 - 116.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
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J. Chemin, A. Patel, F. Duprat, M. Zanzouri, M. Lazdunski, and E. Honore
Lysophosphatidic Acid-operated K+ Channels
J. Biol. Chem.,
February 11, 2005;
280(6):
4415 - 4421.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
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C. E Clarke, E. L Veale, P. J Green, H. J Meadows, and A. Mathie
Selective block of the human 2-P domain potassium channel, TASK-3, and the native leak potassium current, IKSO, by zinc
J. Physiol.,
October 1, 2004;
560(1):
51 - 62.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
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M. Gruss, A. Mathie, W. R. Lieb, and N. P. Franks
The Two-Pore-Domain K+ Channels TREK-1 and TASK-3 Are Differentially Modulated by Copper and Zinc
Mol. Pharmacol.,
September 1, 2004;
66(3):
530 - 537.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
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A. P. Berg, E. M. Talley, J. P. Manger, and D. A. Bayliss
Motoneurons Express Heteromeric TWIK-Related Acid-Sensitive K+ (TASK) Channels Containing TASK-1 (KCNK3) and TASK-3 (KCNK9) Subunits
J. Neurosci.,
July 28, 2004;
24(30):
6693 - 6702.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
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S. Danthi, J. A. Enyeart, and J. J. Enyeart
Caffeic Acid Esters Activate TREK-1 Potassium Channels and Inhibit Depolarization-Dependent Secretion
Mol. Pharmacol.,
March 1, 2004;
65(3):
599 - 610.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
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M. Gruss, T. J. Bushell, D. P. Bright, W. R. Lieb, A. Mathie, and N. P. Franks
Two-Pore-Domain K+ Channels Are a Novel Target for the Anesthetic Gases Xenon, Nitrous Oxide, and Cyclopropane
Mol. Pharmacol.,
February 1, 2004;
65(2):
443 - 452.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
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J. A. Neubauer and J. Sunderram
Oxygen-sensing neurons in the central nervous system
J Appl Physiol,
January 1, 2004;
96(1):
367 - 374.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
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D. Kang, J. Han, E. M. Talley, D. A. Bayliss, and D. Kim
Functional expression of TASK-1/TASK-3 heteromers in cerebellar granule cells
J. Physiol.,
January 1, 2004;
554(1):
64 - 77.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
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S. J. Feinmark, R. Begum, E. Tsvetkov, I. Goussakov, C. D. Funk, S. A. Siegelbaum, and V. Y. Bolshakov
12-Lipoxygenase Metabolites of Arachidonic Acid Mediate Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor-Dependent Long-Term Depression at Hippocampal CA3-CA1 Synapses
J. Neurosci.,
December 10, 2003;
23(36):
11427 - 11435.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
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O. Kann, R. Kovacs, and U. Heinemann
Metabotropic Receptor-Mediated Ca2+ Signaling Elevates Mitochondrial Ca2+ and Stimulates Oxidative Metabolism in Hippocampal Slice Cultures
J Neurophysiol,
August 1, 2003;
90(2):
613 - 621.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
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S. G. Meuth, T. Budde, T. Kanyshkova, T. Broicher, T. Munsch, and H.-C. Pape
Contribution of TWIK-Related Acid-Sensitive K+ Channel 1 (TASK1) and TASK3 Channels to the Control of Activity Modes in Thalamocortical Neurons
J. Neurosci.,
July 23, 2003;
23(16):
6460 - 6469.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
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C. H. Kindler, M. Paul, H. Zou, C. Liu, B. D. Winegar, A. T. Gray, and C. S. Yost
Amide Local Anesthetics Potently Inhibit the Human Tandem Pore Domain Background K+ Channel TASK-2 (KCNK5)
J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther.,
July 1, 2003;
306(1):
84 - 92.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
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D. A. Bayliss, J. E. Sirois, and E. M. Talley
The TASK Family: Two-Pore Domain Background K+ Channels
Mol. Interv.,
June 1, 2003;
3(4):
205 - 219.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
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W.-J. Shin and B. D. Winegar
Modulation of Noninactivating K+ Channels in Rat Cerebellar Granule Neurons by Halothane, Isoflurane, and Sevoflurane
Anesth. Analg.,
May 1, 2003;
96(5):
1340 - 1344.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
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P Miller, P J Kemp, A Lewis, C G Chapman, H J Meadows, and C Peers
Acute hypoxia occludes hTREK-1 modulation: re-evaluation of the potential role of tandem P domain K+ channels in central neuroprotection
J. Physiol.,
April 1, 2003;
548(1):
31 - 37.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
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G. Czirjak and P. Enyedi
Ruthenium Red Inhibits TASK-3 Potassium Channel by Interconnecting Glutamate 70 of the Two Subunits
Mol. Pharmacol.,
March 1, 2003;
63(3):
646 - 652.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
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E. M. Talley, J. E. Sirois, Q. Lei, and D. A. Bayliss
Two-Pore-Domain (Kcnk) Potassium Channels: Dynamic Roles in Neuronal Function
Neuroscientist,
February 1, 2003;
9(1):
46 - 56.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
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J. Han, C. Gnatenco, C. D Sladek, and D. Kim
Background and tandem-pore potassium channels in magnocellular neurosecretory cells of the rat supraoptic nucleus
J. Physiol.,
February 1, 2003;
546(3):
625 - 639.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
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J. A. Filosa and R. W. Putnam
Multiple targets of chemosensitive signaling in locus coeruleus neurons: role of K+ and Ca2+ channels
Am J Physiol Cell Physiol,
January 1, 2003;
284(1):
C145 - C155.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
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S. Rajan, R. Preisig-Muller, E. Wischmeyer, R. Nehring, P. J Hanley, V. Renigunta, B. Musset, G. Schlichthorl, C. Derst, A. Karschin, et al.
Interaction with 14-3-3 proteins promotes functional expression of the potassium channels TASK-1 and TASK-3
J. Physiol.,
November 15, 2002;
545(1):
13 - 26.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
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M. Oz and L. P. Renaud
Angiotensin AT1-Receptors Depolarize Neonatal Spinal Motoneurons and Other Ventral Horn Neurons Via Two Different Conductances
J Neurophysiol,
November 1, 2002;
88(5):
2857 - 2863.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
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L. D. Plant, P. J. Kemp, C. Peers, Z. Henderson, and H. A. Pearson
Hypoxic Depolarization of Cerebellar Granule Neurons by Specific Inhibition of TASK-1
Stroke,
September 1, 2002;
33(9):
2324 - 2328.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
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A. Mathie and C. E Clarke
Background potassium channels move into focus
J. Physiol.,
July 15, 2002;
542(2):
334 - 334.
[Full Text]
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J. Han, J. Truell, C. Gnatenco, and D. Kim
Characterization of four types of background potassium channels in rat cerebellar granule neurons
J. Physiol.,
July 15, 2002;
542(2):
431 - 444.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
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J. E Sirois, C. Lynch III, and D. A Bayliss
Convergent and reciprocal modulation of a leak K+ current and Ih by an inhalational anaesthetic and neurotransmitters in rat brainstem motoneurones
J. Physiol.,
June 15, 2002;
541(3):
717 - 729.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
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J A Filosa, J B Dean, and R W Putnam
Role of intracellular and extracellular pH in the chemosensitive response of rat locus coeruleus neurones
J. Physiol.,
June 1, 2002;
541(2):
493 - 509.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
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D. L. McLean and K. T. Sillar
Nitric Oxide Selectively Tunes Inhibitory Synapses to Modulate Vertebrate Locomotion
J. Neurosci.,
May 15, 2002;
22(10):
4175 - 4184.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
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E. M. Talley and D. A. Bayliss
Modulation of TASK-1 (Kcnk3) and TASK-3 (Kcnk9) Potassium Channels. VOLATILE ANESTHETICS AND NEUROTRANSMITTERS SHARE A MOLECULAR SITE OF ACTION
J. Biol. Chem.,
May 10, 2002;
277(20):
17733 - 17742.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
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W. Gu, G. Schlichthorl, J. R Hirsch, H. Engels, C. Karschin, A. Karschin, C. Derst, O. K Steinlein, and J. Daut
Expression pattern and functional characteristics of two novel splice variants of the two-pore-domain potassium channel TREK-2
J. Physiol.,
March 15, 2002;
539(3):
657 - 668.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
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C. P. Washburn, J. E. Sirois, E. M. Talley, P. G. Guyenet, and D. A. Bayliss
Serotonergic Raphe Neurons Express TASK Channel Transcripts and a TASK-Like pH- and Halothane-Sensitive K+ Conductance
J. Neurosci.,
February 15, 2002;
22(4):
1256 - 1265.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
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W. Gu, G. Schlichthorl, J. R Hirsch, H. Engels, C. Karschin, A. Karschin, C. Derst, O. K Steinlein, and J. Daut
Expression pattern and functional characteristics of two novel splice variants of the two-pore-domain potassium channel TREK-2
J. Physiol.,
March 15, 2002;
539(3):
657 - 668.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
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