Impairment of a parabolic bursting rhythm by the ectopic expression of a small conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel in Aplysia neuron R15

Abstract

The electrical properties of neurons are produced by the coordinated activity of ion channels. K+ channels play a key role in shaping action potentials and in determining neural firing patterns. Small conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (SKCa) channels are involved in modulating the slow component of after hyperpolarization (AHP). Here we examine whether rat type 2 SKc, (rSK2) channels can affect the shape of the action potential and the neural firing pattern, by overexpressing rat SK2 channels in Aplysia neuron R15. Out-results show that rSK2 overexpression decreased the intra-burst frequency and changed the regular bursting activity of neurons to an irregular bursting or heating pattern in R15. Furthermore, the overexpression of rSK2 channels increased AHP and reduced the duration of the action potential. Thus, our results suggest that ectopic SKCa channels play ail important role in regulating the firing pattern and the shape of the action potential. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.