Calcium-dependent potentiation of M-current in bullfrog sympathetic neurons

Homeostatic regulation of M-current modulates synaptic integration in secretomotor, but not vasomotor, sympathetic neurons in the bullfrog

We compared how vasomotor C neurons and secretomotor B neurons integrated identical patterns of virtual synaptic activity using dynamic clamp, perforated-patch recordings from dissociated bullfrog sympathetic ganglion cells. The synaptic template modelled one strong nicotinic synapse and nine weak synapses, each firing randomly at 5 Hz, with strength normalized to each cell. B neurons initially fired at 12 Hz, but this declined within seconds, decreasing 27% after 40 s and recovering slowly as evidenced by the threshold synaptic conductance for firing (tau(recovery) = 136 + or - 23 s). C neurons gave an identical initial response that remained steady, declining only 6% after 40 s. The difference resulted from an activity-dependent 379 + or - 65% increase in M-current (I(M)) in B cells (tau(recovery) = 153 + or - 22 s), which was absent in C cells. In addition, action potential afterhyperpolarizations were 2-fold longer in B cells, but this did not produce the differential response to synaptic stimulation. Activity-dependent increases in I(M) were sensitive to 100 microm Cd(2+) and 2.5 microm oxotremorine M (oxo-M), a muscarinic agonist, and fully blocked by zero Ca(2+), 10 microm oxo-M and 2.5 microm oxo-M plus 50 microm wortmannin, a PIP(2) synthesis inhibitor. A leftward shift in voltage-dependent activation could not fully account for the I(M) increase. Firing at 0.5 Hz was sufficient to modulate I(M). Opposing influences of activity and muscarinic excitation thus produce homeostatic I(M) regulation, to stabilize excitability and postsynaptic output in secretomotor sympathetic neurons. Absence of this regulation in vasomotor neurons suggests a different integrative function, where synaptic gain increases in proportion to presynaptic activity.

Coupling of L-type Ca2+ channels to KV7/KCNQ channels creates a novel, activity-dependent, homeostatic intrinsic plasticity

Experience-dependent modification in the electrical properties of central neurons is a form of intrinsic plasticity that occurs during development and has been observed following behavioral learning. We report a novel form of intrinsic plasticity in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons mediated by the KV7/KCNQ and CaV1/L-type Ca2+ channels. Enhancing Ca2+ influx with a conditioning spike train (30 Hz, 3 s) potentiated the KV7/KCNQ channel function and led to a long-lasting, activity-dependent increase in spike frequency adaptation-a gradual reduction in the firing frequency in response to sustained excitation. These effects were abolished by specific blockers for CaV1/L-type Ca2+ channels, KV7/KCNQ channels, and protein kinase A (PKA). Considering the widespread expression of these two channel types, the influence of Ca2+ influx and subsequent activation of PKA on KV7/KCNQ channels may represent a generalized principle in fine tuning the output of central neurons that promotes stability in firing-an example of homeostatic regulation of intrinsic membrane excitability.

Calmodulin mediates Ca2+-dependent modulation of M-type K+ channels

To quantify the modulation of KCNQ2/3 current by [Ca2+]i and to test if calmodulin (CaM) mediates this action, simultaneous whole-cell recording and Ca2+ imaging was performed on CHO cells expressing KCNQ2/3 channels, either alone, or together with wild-type (wt) CaM, or dominant-negative (DN) CaM. We varied [Ca2+]i from <10 to >400 nM with ionomycin (5 microM) added to either a 2 mM Ca2+, or EGTA-buffered Ca2+-free, solution. Coexpression of wt CaM made KCNQ2/3 currents highly sensitive to [Ca2+]i (IC50 70 +/- 20 nM, max inhibition 73%, n = 10). However, coexpression of DN CaM rendered KCNQ2/3 currents largely [Ca2+]i insensitive (max inhibition 8 +/- 3%, n = 10). In cells without cotransfected CaM, the Ca2+ sensitivity was variable but generally weak. [Ca2+]i modulation of M current in superior cervical ganglion (SCG) neurons followed the same pattern as in CHO cells expressed with KCNQ2/3 and wt CaM, suggesting that endogenous M current is also highly sensitive to [Ca2+]i. Coimmunoprecipitations showed binding of CaM to KCNQ2-5 that was similar in the presence of 5 mM Ca2+ or 5 mM EGTA. Gel-shift analyses suggested Ca2+-dependent CaM binding to an "IQ-like" motif present in the carboxy terminus of KCNQ2-5. We tested whether bradykinin modulation of M current in SCG neurons uses CaM. Wt or DN CaM was exogenously expressed in SCG cells using pseudovirions or the biolistic "gene gun." Using both methods, expression of both wt CaM and DN CaM strongly reduced bradykinin inhibition of M current, but for all groups muscarinic inhibition was unaffected. Cells expressed with wt CaM had strongly reduced tonic current amplitudes as well. We observed similar [Ca2+]i rises by bradykinin in all the groups of cells, indicating that CaM did not affect Ca2+ release from stores. We conclude that M-type currents are highly sensitive to [Ca2+]i and that calmodulin acts as their Ca2+ sensor.

Modulation and genetic identification of the M channel

Potassium channels constitute a superfamily of the most diversified ion channels, acting in delicate and accurate ways to control or modify many physiological and pathological functions including membrane excitability, transmitter release, cell proliferation and cell degeneration. The M-type channel is a unique ligand-regulated and voltage-gated K(+) channel showing distinct physiological and pharmacological characteristics. This review will cover some important progress in the study of M channel modulation, particularly focusing on membrane transduction mechanisms. The K(+) channel genes corresponding to the M channel have been identified and will be reviewed in detail. It has been a long journey since the discovery of M current in 1980 to our present understanding of the mysterious mechanisms for M channel modulation; a journey which exemplifies tremendous achievements in ion channel research and exciting discoveries of elaborate modulatory systems linked to these channels. While substantial evidence has accumulated, challenging questions remain to be answered.

Mechanisms underlying the M-current block by barium in bullfrog sympathetic neurons

Whole-cell/voltage-clamp recordings were made from dissociated bullfrog sympathetic neurons to examine the channel blocking actions of barium (3-2000 microM) on an M-type potassium current (I(M)). Barium (IC(50) approximately 105 microM) blocked I(M) without affecting the 50%-activation voltage ( approximately -35 mV) and the slope factor ( approximately 11 mV) of the activation curve. The results indicate that the barium block is independent of the kinetics of I(M).

Effects of quinine on three different types of potassium currents in bullfrog sympathetic neurons

Whole-cell/voltage-clamp recordings were made from dissociated bullfrog sympathetic neurons to examine the sensitivity of potassium currents to a potassium channel blocker quinine (1-500 microM). Among three currents tested, a rapidly inactivating A-type current (I(A)) was the most sensitive to the block by quinine (IC50 approximately 22 microM). A non-inactivating M-type current (I(M)) was the least sensitive (IC50 approximately 445 microM), and the sensitivity of a slowly inactivating delayed rectifier-type current (I(K)) was in between (IC50 approximately 115 microM). Results suggest that the ability of quinine to block different types of potassium currents such as I(A) and I(M) with significantly different IC50 values would be of help for the potassium channel pharmacology in amphibian autonomic ganglion cells.

Actions of zinc on rapidly inactivating A-type and non-inactivating M-type potassium currents in bullfrog sympathetic neurons

The actions of zinc on A-type potassium current (I(A)) were studied in dissociated bullfrog sympathetic neurons. Zinc (1-300 microM) caused a parallel shift in the activation and inactivation curves to a depolarizing direction, thereby enhancing I(A) around physiological resting potential. An EC50 value was 70-100 microM for these actions. The zinc actions were non-selective in a sense that zinc inhibited M-type potassium current (I(M)) with an IC50 value of 300 microM. Zinc was without effect on the maximum conductance for I(A) and the kinetic behavior for I(M). The ability of low concentrations of zinc to modulate separate set of potassium currents such as I(A) and I(M) in conceptually distinct manner may therefore assume pathophysiological importance for autonomic neurons.

Evidence for the calcium-dependent potentiation of M-current obtained by the ratiometric measurement of the fura-2 fluorescence in bullfrog sympathetic neurons

Intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca]i) was measured following the activation of an inward Ca2+ current and subsequent potentiation of an M-type K+ current (IM) in bullfrog sympathetic neurons. Fura-2 was used as an indicator for [Ca]i. The fluorescence ratio at 340 and 380 nm (F340/F380) was elevated from 0.36 to 1.22 when IM was potentiated by 68% following the Ca2+ current. Based on the in vivo calibration curve obtained from cells permeabilized with digitonin (20 microM), the F340/F380 value of 1.22 was equivalent to a [Ca]i of 0.97 microM. We therefore propose that a rise in [Ca]i into the micromolar range can lead to the potentiation of IM in amphibian autonomic neurons.

Calcium-dependent after-hyperpolarization in dissociated bullfrog sympathetic neurons

Whole-cell recordings were made from dissociated bullfrog sympathetic neurons. Tetraethylammonium (30 mM) and apamin (100 nM) were added to the superfusate to eliminate the known calcium-activated potassium currents termed Ic and IAHP. Under these conditions, the action potential carried by calcium ions was followed by a prolonged (10-60 s) after-hyperpolarization. A current component (IAC) underlying the after-hyperpolarization was eliminated by barium (2 mM) and showed voltage-dependence identical to that of a M-type potassium current. I concluded that the after-hyperpolarization is caused not only by IAHP but also by the calcium-dependent potentiation of M-current.