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Thalamic Kv 7 channels: pharmacological properties and activity control during noxious signal processing.

ABSTRACT: The existence of functional K(v)7 channels in thalamocortical (TC) relay neurons and the effects of the K(+)-current termed M-current (I(M)) on thalamic signal processing have long been debated. Immunocytochemical evidence suggests their presence in this brain region. Therefore, we aimed to verify their existence, pharmacological properties and function in regulating activity in neurons of the ventrobasal thalamus (VB).Characterization of K(v)7 channels was performed by combining in vitro, in vivo and in silico techniques with a pharmacological approach. Retigabine (30 ?M) and XE991 (20 ?M), a specific K(v)7 channel enhancer and blocker, respectively, were applied in acute brain slices during electrophysiological recordings. The effects of intrathalamic injection of retigabine (3 mM, 300 nL) and/or XE991 (2 mM, 300 nL) were investigated in freely moving animals during hot-plate tests by recording behaviour and neuronal activity.K(v)7.2 and K(v)7.3 subunits were found to be abundantly expressed in TC neurons of mouse VB. A slow K(+)-current with properties of IM was activated by retigabine and inhibited by XE991. K(v)7 channel activation evoked membrane hyperpolarization, a reduction in tonic action potential firing, and increased burst firing in vitro and in computational models. Single-unit recordings and pharmacological intervention demonstrated a specific burst-firing increase upon I(M) activation in vivo. A K(v)7 channel-mediated increase in pain threshold was associated with fewer VB units responding to noxious stimuli, and increased burst firing in responsive neurons.K(v)7 channel enhancement alters somatosensory activity and may reflect an anti-nociceptive mechanism during acute pain processing.

SUBMITTER: Cerina M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4459028 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Thalamic Kv 7 channels: pharmacological properties and activity control during noxious signal processing.

Cerina Manuela M Szkudlarek Hanna J HJ Coulon Philippe P Meuth Patrick P Kanyshkova Tatyana T Nguyen Xuan Vinh XV Göbel Kerstin K Seidenbecher Thomas T Meuth Sven G SG Pape Hans-Christian HC Budde Thomas T

British journal of pharmacology 20150410 12

<h4>Background and purpose</h4>The existence of functional K(v)7 channels in thalamocortical (TC) relay neurons and the effects of the K(+)-current termed M-current (I(M)) on thalamic signal processing have long been debated. Immunocytochemical evidence suggests their presence in this brain region. Therefore, we aimed to verify their existence, pharmacological properties and function in regulating activity in neurons of the ventrobasal thalamus (VB).<h4>Experimental approach</h4>Characterization ...[more]

PMID: 25684311

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Project description:Kv channels form voltage-dependent potassium selective pores in the outer cell membrane and are composed out of four α-subunits, each having six membrane-spanning α-helices (S1-S6). The α-subunits tetramerize such that the S5-S6 pore domains co-assemble into a centrally located K(+) pore which is surrounded by four operational voltage-sensing domains (VSD) that are each formed by the S1-S4 segments. Consequently, each subunit is capable of responding to changes in membrane potential and dictates whether the pore should be conductive or not. K(+) permeation through the pore can be sealed off by two separate gates in series: (a) at the inner S6 bundle crossing (BC gate) and (b) at the level of the selectivity filter (SF gate) located at the extracellular entrance of the pore. Within the last years a general consensus emerged that a direct communication between the S4S5-linker and the bottom part of S6 (S6(c)) constitutes the coupling with the VSD thus making the BC gate the main voltage-controllable activation gate. While the BC gate listens to the VSD, the SF changes its conformation depending on the status of the BC gate. Through the eyes of an entering K(+) ion, the operation of the BC gate apparatus can be compared with the iris-like motion of the diaphragm from a camera whereby its diameter widens. Two main gating motions have been proposed to create this BC gate widening: (1) tilting of the helix whereby the S6 converts from a straight α-helix to a tilted one or (2) swiveling of the S6(c) whereby the S6 remains bent. Such motions require a flexible hinge that decouples the pre- and post-hinge segment. Roughly at the middle of the S6 there exists a highly conserved glycine residue and a tandem proline motif that seem to fulfill the role of a gating hinge which allows for tilting/swiveling/rotations of the post-hinge S6 segment. In this review we delineate our current view on the operation of the BC gate for controlling K(+) permeation in Kv channels.

Dataset Information

Thalamic Kv 7 channels: pharmacological properties and activity control during noxious signal processing.

Publications

Thalamic Kv 7 channels: pharmacological properties and activity control during noxious signal processing.

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