Modulation by the BK accessory β4 subunit of phosphorylation‐dependent changes in excitability of dentate gyrus granule neurons

Large‐conductance voltage‐ and calcium‐activated potassium (BK) channels are large‐conductance calcium‐ and voltage‐activated potassium channels critical for neuronal excitability. Some neurons express so called fast‐gated, type I BK channels. Other neurons express BK channels assembled with the accessory β4 subunit conferring slow gating of type II BK channels. However, it is not clear how protein phosphorylation modulates these two distinct BK channel types. Using β4‐knockout mice, we compared fast‐ or slow‐gated BK channels in response to changes in phosphorylation status of hippocampus dentate gyrus granule neurons. We utilized the selective PP2A/PP4 phosphatase inhibitor Fostriecin to study changes in action potential shape and firing properties of the neurons. In β4‐knockout neurons, Fostriecin increases BK current, speeds up BK channel activation and reduces action potential amplitudes. Fostriecin increases spiking during early components of an action potential train. In contrast, inhibition of BK channels through β4 in wild‐type neurons or by the BK channel inhibitor Paxilline opposes Fostriecin effects. Voltage clamp recordings of neurons reveal that Fostriecin increases both calcium and BK currents. However, Fostriecin does not activate BK α channels in transfected HEK293 cells lacking calcium channels. In summary, these results suggest that fast‐gating, type I BK channels lacking β4 can increase neuronal excitability in response to reduced phosphatase activity and activation of calcium channels. By opposing BK channel activation, the β4 subunit plays an important role in moderating firing frequency regardless of changes in phosphorylation status.