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Differential effects of Kv7 (M‐) channels on synaptic integration in distinct subcellular compartments of rat hippocampal pyramidal neurons
Author(s) -
Shah Mala M.,
Migliore Michele,
Brown David A.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the journal of physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.802
H-Index - 240
eISSN - 1469-7793
pISSN - 0022-3751
DOI - 10.1113/jphysiol.2011.220913
Subject(s) - excitatory postsynaptic potential , neuroscience , electrophysiology , membrane potential , chemistry , synaptic plasticity , biophysics , hippocampal formation , biology , inhibitory postsynaptic potential , receptor , biochemistry
Non‐technical summary Ion channels are pores that allow the exchange of molecules across cell membranes. In nerve cells (neurons) of the hippocampus (a brain region involved in learning and memory), the potassium K V 7 channel is present predominantly in the cell body (the soma) and in its axon, a projection from the cell body that produces brief electrical signals known as action potentials. We have previously shown that axonal K V 7 channels control action potential initiation and so regulate cell excitability. However, cells also receive inputs from other cells connected to them, resulting in longer lasting electrical signals known as synaptic potentials. In this study, we show that only somatic K V 7 channels influence synaptic potential shapes and summation, whereas axonal channels increase the ability of synaptic potentials to generate action potentials. Hence, axonal and somatic K V 7 channels differentially contribute to information processing within hippocampal neurons, which may be important for processes such as cognition