The Journal of Neuroscience, February 21, 2007, 27(8):1942-1953; doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3208-06.2007
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Cellular/Molecular
Kv4.3-Mediated A-Type K+ Currents Underlie Rhythmic Activity in Hippocampal Interneurons
Mathieu L. Bourdeau, *
France Morin, *
Charles E. Laurent,
Mounia Azzi, and
Jean-Claude Lacaille
Département de Physiologie, Groupe de Recherche sur le Système Nerveux Central, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada H3C 3J7
Correspondence should be addressed to Dr. Jean-Claude Lacaille, Département de Physiologie, Université de Montréal, Cas Postal 6128 Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, Québec, Canada H3C 3J7. Email: jean-claude.lacaille{at}umontreal.ca
Hippocampal-dependent learning and memory processes are associated with theta frequency rhythmic activity. Interneuron and pyramidal cell network interactions underlie this activity, but contributions of interneuron voltage-gated membrane conductances remain unclear. We show that interneurons at the CA1 lacunosum-moleculare (LM) and radiatum (RAD) junction (LM/RAD) display voltage-dependent subthreshold membrane potential oscillations (MPOs) generated by voltage-gated tetrodotoxin-sensitive Na+ and 4-aminopyridine (4-AP)-sensitive K+ currents. They also exhibit prominent 4-AP-sensitive A-type K+ currents, with gating properties showing activation at subthreshold membrane potentials. We found that LM/RAD cells are part of specific interneuron subpopulations expressing the K+ channel subunit Kv4.3 and their transfection with Kv4.3 small interfering RNA selectively impaired A-type K+ currents and MPOs. Thus, our findings reveal a novel function of Kv4.3-mediated A-type K+ currents in the generation of intrinsic MPOs in specific subpopulations of interneurons that may participate in hippocampal theta-related rhythmic activity.
Key words: theta rhythm; CA1 hippocampus; inhibitory interneurons; slice cultures; membrane potential oscillations; K+ channels
Received July 26, 2006;
revised Jan. 15, 2007;
accepted Jan. 15, 2007.
Correspondence should be addressed to Dr. Jean-Claude Lacaille, Département de Physiologie, Université de Montréal, Cas Postal 6128 Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, Québec, Canada H3C 3J7. Email: jean-claude.lacaille{at}umontreal.ca
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