Distribution and function of potassium channels in the electrosensory lateral line lobe of weakly electric apteronotid fish

• Published in: Journal of Comparative Physiology 2006-06, Vol.192 (6), p.637-648
• Main Authors: Mehaffey, W H, Fernandez, F R, Rashid, A J, Dunn, R J, Turner, R W
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Apteronotus leptorhynchus; Brain - cytology; Brain - metabolism; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Electric Fish - anatomy & histology; Electric Fish - physiology; Electric Organ - anatomy & histology; Electric Organ - metabolism; Electric Stimulation - methods; Fish Proteins - metabolism; Membrane Potentials - drug effects; Membrane Potentials - physiology; Membrane Potentials - radiation effects; Potassium; Potassium Channel Blockers - pharmacology; Pyramidal Cells - drug effects; Pyramidal Cells - physiology; Pyramidal Cells - radiation effects; Pyramidal Cells - ultrastructure; Shaw Potassium Channels - metabolism
• ISSN: 0340-7594; 1432-1351
• DOI: 10.1007/s00359-006-0103-z

Potassium channels are one of the fundamental requirements for the generation of action potentials in the nervous system, and their characteristics shape the output of neurons in response to synaptic input. We review here the distribution and function of a high-threshold potassium channel (Kv3.3) in the electrosensory lateral line lobe of the weakly electric fish Apteronotus leptorhynchus, with particular focus on the pyramidal cells in this brain structure. These cells contain both high-threshold Kv3.3 channels, as well as low-threshold potassium channels of unknown molecular identity. Kv3.3 potassium channels regulate burst discharge in pyramidal cells and enable sustained high frequency firing through their ability to reduce an accumulation of low-threshold potassium current.