RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 M Channels Containing KCNQ2 Subunits Modulate Norepinephrine, Aspartate, and GABA Release from Hippocampal Nerve Terminals
JF The Journal of Neuroscience
JO J. Neurosci.
FD Society for Neuroscience
SP 592
OP 597
DO 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3143-03.2004
VO 24
IS 3
A1 Maria Martire
A1 Pasqualina Castaldo
A1 Monia D'Amico
A1 Paolo Preziosi
A1 Lucio Annunziato
A1 Maurizio Taglialatela
YR 2004
UL http://www.jneurosci.org/content/24/3/592.abstract
AB KCNQ subunits encode for the M current (IKM), a neuron-specific voltage-dependent K+ current with a well established role in the control of neuronal excitability. In this study, by means of a combined biochemical, pharmacological, and electrophysiological approach, the role of presynaptic IKM in the release of previously taken up tritiated norepineprine (NE), GABA, and d-aspartate (d-ASP) from hippocampal nerve terminals (synaptosomes) has been evaluated. Retigabine (RT) (0.01-30 μm), a specific activator of IKM, inhibited [3H]NE, [3H]d-ASP, and [3H]GABA release evoked by 9 mm extracellular K+ ([K+]e). RT-induced inhibition of [3H]NE release was prevented by synaptosomal entrapment of polyclonal antibodies directed against KCNQ2 subunits, an effect that was abolished by antibody preabsorption with the KCNQ2 immunizing peptide; antibodies against KCNQ3 subunits were ineffective. Flupirtine (FP), a structural analog of RT, also inhibited 9 mm [K+]e-induced [3H]NE release, although its maximal inhibition was lower than that of RT. Electrophysiological studies in KCNQ2-transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells revealed that RT and FP (10 μm) caused a -19 and -9 mV hyperpolarizing shift, respectively, in the voltage dependence of activation of KCNQ2 K+ channels. In the same cells, the cognition enhancer 10,10-bis(4-pyridinylmethyl)-9(10H)-anthracenone (XE-991) (10 μm) blocked KCNQ2 channels and prevented their activation by RT (1-10 μm). Finally, both XE-991 (10-100 μm) and tetraethylammonium ions (100 μm) abolished the inhibitory effect of RT (1 μm) on [3H]NE release. These findings provide novel evidence for a major regulatory role of KCNQ2 K+ channel subunits in neurotransmitter release from rat hippocampal nerve endings.