RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Early Changes in KCC2 Phosphorylation in Response to Neuronal Stress Result in Functional Downregulation JF The Journal of Neuroscience JO J. Neurosci. FD Society for Neuroscience SP 1642 OP 1650 DO 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3104-06.2007 VO 27 IS 7 A1 Hiroaki Wake A1 Miho Watanabe A1 Andrew J. Moorhouse A1 Takashi Kanematsu A1 Shoko Horibe A1 Noriyuki Matsukawa A1 Kiyofumi Asai A1 Kosei Ojika A1 Masato Hirata A1 Junichi Nabekura YR 2007 UL http://www.jneurosci.org/content/27/7/1642.abstract AB The K+ Cl− cotransporter KCC2 plays an important role in chloride homeostasis and in neuronal responses mediated by ionotropic GABA and glycine receptors. The expression levels of KCC2 in neurons determine whether neurotransmitter responses are inhibitory or excitatory. KCC2 expression is decreased in developing neurons, as well as in response to various models of neuronal injury and epilepsy. We investigated whether there is also direct modulation of KCC2 activity by changes in phosphorylation during such neuronal stressors. We examined tyrosine phosphorylation of KCC2 in rat hippocampal neurons under different conditions of in vitro neuronal stress and the functional consequences of changes in tyrosine phosphorylation. Oxidative stress (H2O2) and the induction of seizure activity (BDNF) and hyperexcitability (0 Mg2+) resulted in a rapid dephosphorylation of KCC2 that preceded the decreases in KCC2 protein or mRNA expression. Dephosphorylation of KCC2 is correlated with a reduction of transport activity and a decrease in [Cl−]i, as well as a reduction in KCC2 surface expression. Manipulation of KCC2 tyrosine phosphorylation resulted in altered neuronal viability in response to in vitro oxidative stress. During continued neuronal stress, a second phase of functional KCC2 downregulation occurs that corresponds to decreases in KCC2 protein expression levels. We propose that neuronal stress induces a rapid loss of tyrosine phosphorylation of KCC2 that results in translocation of the protein and functional loss of transport activity. Additional understanding of the mechanisms involved may provide means for manipulating the extent of irreversible injury resulting from different neuronal stressors.