TASK-3 two-pore domain potassium channels enable sustained high-frequency firing in cerebellar granule neurons

Neuromodulator-induced temperature robustness in a motor pattern: a comparative study between two decapod crustaceans

While temperature fluctuations pose significant challenges to the nervous system, many vital neuronal systems in poikilothermic animals function over a broad temperature range. Using the gastric mill pattern generator in the Jonah crab, we previously demonstrated that temperature-induced increases in leak conductance disrupt neuronal function and that neuropeptide modulation provides thermal protection. Here, we show that neuropeptide modulation also increases temperature robustness in Dungeness and green crabs. As in Jonah crabs, higher temperatures increased leak conductance in both species' pattern-generating lateral gastric neuron and terminated rhythmic gastric mill activity. Likewise, increasing descending modulatory projection neuron activity or neuropeptide transmitter application rescued rhythms at elevated temperatures. However, decreasing input resistance using dynamic clamp only restored the rhythm in half of the experiments. Thus, neuropeptide modulation increased temperature robustness in both species, demonstrating that neuropeptide-mediated temperature compensation is not limited to one species, although the underlying cellular compensation mechanisms may be distinct.

TASK-3, two-pore potassium channels, contribute to circadian rhythms in the electrical properties of the suprachiasmatic nucleus and play a role in driving stable behavioural photic entrainment

Stable and entrainable physiological circadian rhythms are crucial for overall health and well-being. The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the primary circadian pacemaker in mammals, consists of diverse neuron types that collectively generate a circadian profile of electrical activity. However, the mechanisms underlying the regulation of endogenous neuronal excitability in the SCN remain unclear. Two-pore domain potassium channels (K2P), including TASK-3, are known to play a significant role in maintaining SCN diurnal homeostasis by inhibiting neuronal activity at night. In this study, we investigated the role of TASK-3 in SCN circadian neuronal regulation and behavioural photoentrainment using a TASK-3 global knockout mouse model. Our findings demonstrate the importance of TASK-3 in maintaining SCN hyperpolarization during the night and establishing SCN sensitivity to glutamate. Specifically, we observed that TASK-3 knockout mice lacked diurnal variation in resting membrane potential and exhibited altered glutamate sensitivity both in vivo and in vitro. Interestingly, despite these changes, the mice lacking TASK-3 were still able to maintain relatively normal circadian behaviour.

Sex-Specific Timelines for Adaptations of Prefrontal Parvalbumin Neurons in Response to Stress and Changes in Anxiety- and Depressive-Like Behaviors

Women are twice as likely as men to experience emotional dysregulation after stress, resulting in substantially higher psychopathology for equivalent lifetime stress exposure, yet the mechanisms underlying this vulnerability remain unknown. Studies suggest changes in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) activity as a potential contributor. Whether maladaptive changes in inhibitory interneurons participate in this process, and whether adaptations in response to stress differ between men and women, producing sex-specific changes in emotional behaviors and mPFC activity, remained undetermined. This study examined whether unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) in mice differentially alters behavior and mPFC parvalbumin (PV) interneuron activity by sex, and whether the activity of these neurons drives sex-specific behavioral changes. Four weeks of UCMS increased anxiety-like and depressive-like behaviors associated with FosB activation in mPFC PV neurons, particularly in females. After 8 weeks of UCMS, both sexes displayed these behavioral and neural changes. Chemogenetic activation of PV neurons in UCMS-exposed and nonstressed males induced significant changes in anxiety-like behaviors. Importantly, patch-clamp electrophysiology demonstrated altered excitability and basic neural properties on the same timeline as the emergence of behavioral effects: changes in females after 4 weeks and in males after 8 weeks of UCMS. These findings show, for the first time, that sex-specific changes in the excitability of prefrontal PV neurons parallel the emergence of anxiety-like behavior, revealing a potential novel mechanism underlying the enhanced vulnerability of females to stress-induced psychopathology and supporting further investigation of this neuronal population to identify new therapeutic targets for stress disorders.

The mammalian nodal action potential: new data bring new perspectives

Since its discovery in the mid-20th century, the Hodgkin-Huxley biophysical model of the squid giant axon's (SGA's) neurophysiology has traditionally served as the basis for the teaching of action potential (AP) dynamics in the physiology classroom. This model teaches that leak conductances set membrane resting potential; that fast, inactivating, voltage-gated sodium channels effect the SGA AP upstroke; and that delayed, rectifying, noninactivating voltage-gated potassium channels carry AP repolarization and the early part of the afterhyperpolarization (AHP). This model serves well to introduce students to the fundamental ideas of resting potential establishment and maintenance, as well as basic principles of AP generation and propagation. Furthermore, the Hodgkin-Huxley SGA model represents an excellent and accessible starting point for discussion of the concept of AP threshold and the role of passive electrical properties of the neuron. Additionally, the introduction of the Hodgkin-Huxley model of the SGA AP permits the integration of physiological principles, as instructors ask students to apply previously studied principles of transporter and channel biophysics to the essential physiological phenomenon of electrical signal conduction. However, both some early observations as well as more recent evidence strongly suggest that this seminal invertebrate model of AP dynamics does not appropriately capture the full story for mammalian axons. We review recent evidence that mammalian axonal nodes of Ranvier repolarize largely (though not exclusively) through the activity of leak potassium-ion (K⁺) conductances carried through two-pore domain (K_2P) channels. We call for changes to physiology textbooks and curricula to highlight this remarkable difference in invertebrate and mammalian AP repolarization mechanisms.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Historically, physiology courses have typically taught that action potential repolarization occurs exclusively due to the activation of delayed-rectifier voltage-gated potassium channels. Here, we review and highlight recent evidence that leak potassium channels of the two-pore domain (K_2P) class may largely serve this repolarization role at mammalian nodes of Ranvier. We call for the inclusion of these ideas in physiology curricula at all levels, from high school to graduate school.

Tandem pore domain acid-sensitive K channel 3 (TASK-3) regulates visual sensitivity in healthy and aging retina

Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) not only collect but also integrate visual signals and send them from the retina to the brain. The mechanisms underlying the RGC integration of synaptic activity within retinal circuits have not been fully explored. Here, we identified a pronounced expression of tandem pore domain acid-sensitive potassium channel 3 (TASK-3), a two-pore domain potassium channel (K2P), in RGCs. By using a specific antagonist and TASK-3 knockout mice, we found that TASK-3 regulates the intrinsic excitability and the light sensitivity of RGCs by sensing neuronal activity-dependent extracellular acidification. In vivo, the blockade or loss of TASK-3 dampened pupillary light reflex, visual acuity, and contrast sensitivity. Furthermore, overexpressing TASK-3 specifically in RGCs using an adeno-associated virus approach restored the visual function of TASK-3 knockout mice and aged mice where the expression and function of TASK-3 were reduced. Thus, our results provide evidence that implicates a critical role of K2P in visual processing in the retina.

Expression of p11 and heteromeric TASK channels in mouse adrenal cortical cells and H295R cells

TWIK-related acid-sensitive K⁺ (TASK) channels are thought to contribute to the resting membrane potential in adrenal cortical (AC) cells. However, the molecular identity of TASK channels in AC cells have not yet been elucidated. Thus, immunocytochemical and molecular biological approaches were employed to investigate the expression and intracellular distribution of TASK1 and TASK3 in mouse AC cells and H295R cells derived from human adrenocortical carcinoma. Immunocytochemical study revealed that immunoreactive materials were mainly located in the cytoplasm for TASK1 and at the cell periphery for TASK3 in mouse AC cells. A similar pattern of localization was observed when GFP-TASK1 and GFP-TASK3 were exogenously expressed in H295R cells. In addition, p11 that is known to suppress the endoplasmic reticulum exit of TASK1 was localized in the cytoplasm in mouse AC and H295R cells, but not in adrenal medullary cells. Proximity ligation assay (PLA) suggested formation of heteromeric TASK1-3 channels that were found predominantly in the cytoplasm and weakly at the cell periphery. A similar distribution was observed following exogenous expression of tandem TASK1-3 channels in H295R cells. When stimulated by angiotensin II, however, tandem TASK1-3 channels were present mainly in the cytoplasm in all H295R cells. In contrast to that in H295R cells, tandem channels were exclusively located at the cell periphery in all non-stimulated and exclusively in the cytoplasm in stimulated PC12 cells, respectively. From these results, we conclude that TASK1 proteins are present mainly in the cytoplasm and minimally at the cell periphery as a heteromeric channel with TASK3, whereas the majority of TASK3 is at the cell periphery as homomeric and heteromeric channels.

Neuromodulation Enables Temperature Robustness and Coupling Between Fast and Slow Oscillator Circuits

Acute temperature changes can disrupt neuronal activity and coordination with severe consequences for animal behavior and survival. Nonetheless, two rhythmic neuronal circuits in the crustacean stomatogastric ganglion (STG) and their coordination are maintained across a broad temperature range. However, it remains unclear how this temperature robustness is achieved. Here, we dissociate temperature effects on the rhythm generating circuits from those on upstream ganglia. We demonstrate that heat-activated factors extrinsic to the rhythm generators are essential to the slow gastric mill rhythm’s temperature robustness and contribute to the temperature response of the fast pyloric rhythm. The gastric mill rhythm crashed when its rhythm generator in the STG was heated. It was restored when upstream ganglia were heated and temperature-matched to the STG. This also increased the activity of the peptidergic modulatory projection neuron (MCN1), which innervates the gastric mill circuit. Correspondingly, MCN1’s neuropeptide transmitter stabilized the rhythm and maintained it over a broad temperature range. Extrinsic neuromodulation is thus essential for the oscillatory circuits in the STG and enables neural circuits to maintain function in temperature-compromised conditions. In contrast, integer coupling between pyloric and gastric mill rhythms was independent of whether extrinsic inputs and STG pattern generators were temperature-matched or not, demonstrating that the temperature robustness of the coupling is enabled by properties intrinsic to the rhythm generators. However, at near-crash temperature, integer coupling was maintained only in some animals while it was absent in others. This was true despite regular rhythmic activity in all animals, supporting that degenerate circuit properties result in idiosyncratic responses to environmental challenges.

Lysophosphatidic Acid and Several Neurotransmitters Converge on Rho-Kinase 2 Signaling to Manage Motoneuron Excitability

Intrinsic membrane excitability (IME) sets up neuronal responsiveness to synaptic drive. Several neurotransmitters and neuromodulators, acting through G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), fine-tune motoneuron (MN) IME by modulating background K⁺ channels TASK1. However, intracellular partners linking GPCRs to TASK1 modulation are not yet well-known. We hypothesized that isoform 2 of rho-kinase (ROCK2), acting as downstream GPCRs, mediates adjustment of MN IME via TASK1. Electrophysiological recordings were performed in hypoglossal MNs (HMNs) obtained from adult and neonatal rats, neonatal knockout mice for TASK1 (task1^–/–) and TASK3 (task3^–/–, the another highly expressed TASK subunit in MNs), and primary cultures of embryonic spinal cord MNs (SMNs). Small-interfering RNA (siRNA) technology was also used to knockdown either ROCK1 or ROCK2. Furthermore, ROCK activity assays were performed to evaluate the ability of various physiological GPCR ligands to stimulate ROCK. Microiontophoretically applied H1152, a ROCK inhibitor, and siRNA-induced ROCK2 knockdown both depressed AMPAergic, inspiratory-related discharge activity of adult HMNs in vivo, which mainly express the ROCK2 isoform. In brainstem slices, intracellular constitutively active ROCK2 (aROCK2) led to H1152-sensitive HMN hyper-excitability. The aROCK2 inhibited pH-sensitive and TASK1-mediated currents in SMNs. Conclusively, aROCK2 increased IME in task3^–/–, but not in task1^–/– HMNs. MN IME was also augmented by the physiological neuromodulator lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) through a mechanism entailing G_αi/o-protein stimulation, ROCK2, but not ROCK1, activity and TASK1 inhibition. Finally, two neurotransmitters, TRH, and 5-HT, which are both known to increase MN IME by TASK1 inhibition, stimulated ROCK2, and depressed background resting currents via G_αq/ROCK2 signaling. These outcomes suggest that LPA and several neurotransmitters impact MN IME via G_αi/o/G_αq-protein-coupled receptors, downstream ROCK2 activation, and subsequent inhibition of TASK1 channels.

Neuropeptide Modulation Increases Dendritic Electrical Spread to Restore Neuronal Activity Disrupted by Temperature

Peptide neuromodulation has been implicated to shield neuronal activity from acute temperature changes that can otherwise lead to loss of motor control or failure of vital behaviors. However, the cellular actions neuropeptides elicit to support temperature-robust activity remain unknown. Here, we find that peptide neuromodulation restores rhythmic bursting in temperature-compromised central pattern generator (CPG) neurons by counteracting membrane shunt and increasing dendritic electrical spread. We show that acutely rising temperatures reduced spike generation and interrupted ongoing rhythmic motor activity in the crustacean gastric mill CPG. Neuronal release and extrinsic application of Cancer borealis tachykinin-related peptide Ia (CabTRP Ia), a substance-P-related peptide, restored rhythmic activity. Warming led to a significant decrease in membrane resistance and a shunting of the dendritic signals in the main gastric mill CPG neuron. Using a combination of fluorescent calcium imaging and electrophysiology, we observed that postsynaptic potentials and antidromic action potentials propagated less far within the dendritic neuropil as the system warmed. In the presence of CabTRP Ia, membrane shunt decreased and both postsynaptic potentials and antidromic action potentials propagated farther. At elevated temperatures, CabTRP Ia restored dendritic electrical spread or extended it beyond that at cold temperatures. Selective introduction of the CabTRP Ia conductance using a dynamic clamp demonstrated that the CabTRP Ia voltage-dependent conductance was sufficient to restore rhythmic bursting. Our findings demonstrate that a substance-P-related neuropeptide can boost dendritic electrical spread to maintain neuronal activity when perturbed and reveals key neurophysiological components of neuropeptide actions that support pattern generation in temperature-compromised conditions.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Changes in body temperature can have detrimental consequences for the well-being of an organism. Temperature-dependent changes in neuronal activity can be especially dangerous if they affect vital behaviors. Understanding how temperature changes disrupt neuronal activity and identifying how to ameliorate such effects is critically important. Our study of a crustacean circuit shows that warming disrupts rhythmic neuronal activity by increasing membrane shunt and reducing dendritic electrical spread in a key circuit neuron. Through the ionic conductance activated by it, substance-P-related peptide modulation restored electrical spread and counteracted the detrimental temperature effects on rhythmic activity. Because neuropeptides are commonly implicated in sustaining neuronal activity during perturbation, our results provide a promising mechanism to support temperature-robust activity.

Spike frequency-dependent inhibition and excitation of neural activity by high-frequency ultrasound

Ultrasound can modulate action potential firing in vivo and in vitro, but the mechanistic basis of this phenomenon is not well understood. To address this problem, we used patch-clamp recording to quantify the effects of focused, high-frequency (43 MHz) ultrasound on evoked action potential firing in CA1 pyramidal neurons in acute rodent hippocampal brain slices. We find that ultrasound can either inhibit or potentiate firing in a spike frequency–dependent manner: at low (near-threshold) input currents and low firing frequencies, ultrasound inhibits firing, while at higher input currents and higher firing frequencies, ultrasound potentiates firing. The net result of these two competing effects is that ultrasound increases the threshold current for action potential firing, the slope of frequency-input curves, and the maximum firing frequency. In addition, ultrasound slightly hyperpolarizes the resting membrane potential, decreases action potential width, and increases the depth of the after-hyperpolarization. All of these results can be explained by the hypothesis that ultrasound activates a sustained potassium conductance. According to this hypothesis, increased outward potassium currents hyperpolarize the resting membrane potential and inhibit firing at near-threshold input currents but potentiate firing in response to higher-input currents by limiting inactivation of voltage-dependent sodium channels during the action potential. This latter effect is a consequence of faster action potential repolarization, which limits inactivation of voltage-dependent sodium channels, and deeper (more negative) after-hyperpolarization, which increases the rate of recovery from inactivation. Based on these results, we propose that ultrasound activates thermosensitive and mechanosensitive two-pore-domain potassium (K2P) channels through heating or mechanical effects of acoustic radiation force. Finite-element modeling of the effects of ultrasound on brain tissue suggests that the effects of ultrasound on firing frequency are caused by a small (<2°C) increase in temperature, with possible additional contributions from mechanical effects.

Contribution of Neuronal and Glial Two-Pore-Domain Potassium Channels in Health and Neurological Disorders

Two-pore-domain potassium (K2P) channels are widespread in the nervous system and play a critical role in maintaining membrane potential in neurons and glia. They have been implicated in many stress-relevant neurological disorders, including pain, sleep disorder, epilepsy, ischemia, and depression. K2P channels give rise to leaky K⁺ currents, which stabilize cellular membrane potential and regulate cellular excitability. A range of natural and chemical effectors, including temperature, pressure, pH, phospholipids, and intracellular signaling molecules, substantially modulate the activity of K2P channels. In this review, we summarize the contribution of K2P channels to neuronal excitability and to potassium homeostasis in glia. We describe recently discovered functions of K2P channels in glia, such as astrocytic passive conductance and glutamate release, microglial surveillance, and myelin generation by oligodendrocytes. We also discuss the potential role of glial K2P channels in neurological disorders. In the end, we discuss current limitations in K2P channel researches and suggest directions for future studies.

Function of K2P channels in the mammalian node of Ranvier

In myelinated nerve fibres, action potentials are generated at nodes of Ranvier. These structures are located at interruptions of the myelin sheath, forming narrow gaps with small rings of axolemma freely exposed to the extracellular space. The mammalian node contains a high density of Na⁺ channels and K⁺ -selective leakage channels. Voltage-dependent Kv1 channels are only present in the juxta-paranode. Recently, the leakage channels have been identified as K2P channels (TRAAK, TREK-1). K2P channels are K⁺ -selective 'background' channels, characterized by outward rectification and their ability to be activated, e.g. by temperature, mechanical stretch or arachidonic acid. We are only beginning to elucidate the peculiar functions of nodal K2P channels. I will discuss two functions of the nodal K2P-mediated conductance. First, at body temperature K2P channels have a high open probability, thereby inducing a resting potential of about -85 mV. This negative resting potential reduces steady-state Na⁺ channel inactivation and ensures a large Na⁺ inward current upon a depolarizing stimulus. Second, the K2P conductance is involved in nodal action potential repolarization. The identification of nodal K2P channels is exciting since it shows that the nodal K⁺ conductance is not a fixed value but can be changed: it can be increased or decreased by a broad range of K2P modulators, thereby modulating, for example, the resting potential. The functional importance of nodal K2P channels will be exemplified by describing in more detail the function of the K2P conductance increase by raising the temperature from room temperature to 37°C.

G-quadruplex regulation of neural gene expression

G-quadruplexes are four-stranded helical nucleic acid structures characterized by stacked tetrads of guanosine bases. These structures are widespread throughout mammalian genomic DNA and RNA transcriptomes, and prevalent across all tissues. The role of G-quadruplexes in cancer is well-established, but there has been a growing exploration of these structures in the development and homeostasis of normal tissue. In this review, we focus on the roles of G-quadruplexes in directing gene expression in the nervous system, including the regulation of gene transcription, mRNA processing, and trafficking, as well as protein translation. The role of G-quadruplexes and their molecular interactions in the pathology of neurological diseases is also examined. Outside of cancer, there has been only limited exploration of G-quadruplexes as potential intervention targets to treat disease or injury. We discuss studies that have used small-molecule ligands to manipulate G-quadruplex stability in order to treat disease or direct neural stem/progenitor cell proliferation and differentiation into therapeutically relevant cell types. Understanding the many roles that G-quadruplexes have in the nervous system not only provides critical insight into fundamental molecular mechanisms that control neurological function, but also provides opportunities to identify novel therapeutic targets to treat injury and disease.

Chronic sleep fragmentation enhances habenula cholinergic neural activity

Sleep is essential to emotional health. Sleep disturbance, particularly REM sleep disturbance, profoundly impacts emotion regulation, but the underlying neural mechanisms remain elusive. Here we show that chronic REM sleep disturbance, achieved in mice by chronic sleep fragmentation (SF), enhanced neural activity in the medial habenula (mHb), a brain region increasingly implicated in negative affect. Specifically, after a 5-day SF procedure that selectively fragmented REM sleep, cholinergic output neurons (ChNs) in the mHb exhibited increased spontaneous firing rate and enhanced firing regularity in brain slices. The SF-induced firing changes remained intact upon inhibition of glutamate, GABA, acetylcholine, and histamine receptors, suggesting cell-autonomous mechanisms independent of synaptic transmissions. Moreover, the SF-induced hyperactivity was not because of enhanced intrinsic membrane excitability, but was accompanied by depolarized resting membrane potential in mHb ChNs. Furthermore, inhibition of TASK-3 (KCNK9) channels, a subtype of two-pore domain K⁺ channels, mimicked the SF effects by increasing the firing rate and regularity, as well as depolarizing the resting membrane potential in mHb ChNs in control-sleep mice. These effects of TASK-3 inhibition were absent in SF mice, suggesting reduced TASK-3 activity following SF. By contrast, inhibition of small-conductance Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ (SK) channels did not produce similar effects. Thus, SF compromised TASK-3 function in mHb ChNs, which likely led to depolarized resting membrane potential and increased spontaneous firing. These results not only demonstrate that selective REM sleep disturbance leads to hyperactivity of mHb ChNs, but also identify a key molecular substrate through which REM sleep disturbance may alter affect regulation.

Fast inactivation of Nav current in rat adrenal chromaffin cells involves two independent inactivation pathways

Voltage-dependent sodium (Nav) current in adrenal chromaffin cells (CCs) is rapidly inactivating and tetrodotoxin (TTX)–sensitive. The fractional availability of CC Nav current has been implicated in regulation of action potential (AP) frequency and the occurrence of slow-wave burst firing. Here, through recordings of Nav current in rat CCs, primarily in adrenal medullary slices, we describe unique inactivation properties of CC Nav inactivation that help define AP firing rates in CCs. The key feature of CC Nav current is that recovery from inactivation, even following brief (5 ms) inactivation steps, exhibits two exponential components of similar amplitude. Various paired pulse protocols show that entry into the fast and slower recovery processes result from largely independent competing inactivation pathways, each of which occurs with similar onset times at depolarizing potentials. Over voltages from −120 to −80 mV, faster recovery varies from ∼3 to 30 ms, while slower recovery varies from ∼50 to 400 ms. With strong depolarization (above −10 mV), the relative entry into slow or fast recovery pathways is similar and independent of voltage. Trains of short depolarizations favor recovery from fast recovery pathways and result in cumulative increases in the slow recovery fraction. Dual-pathway fast inactivation, by promoting use-dependent accumulation in slow recovery pathways, dynamically regulates Nav availability. Consistent with this finding, repetitive AP clamp waveforms at 1–10 Hz frequencies reduce Nav availability 80–90%, depending on holding potential. These results indicate that there are two distinct pathways of fast inactivation, one leading to conventional fast recovery and the other to slower recovery, which together are well-suited to mediate use-dependent changes in Nav availability.

The effects of the general anesthetic sevoflurane on neurotransmission: an experimental and computational study

The brain functions can be reversibly modulated by the action of general anesthetics. Despite a wide number of pharmacological studies, an extensive analysis of the cellular determinants of anesthesia at the microcircuits level is still missing. Here, by combining patch-clamp recordings and mathematical modeling, we examined the impact of sevoflurane, a general anesthetic widely employed in the clinical practice, on neuronal communication. The cerebellar microcircuit was used as a benchmark to analyze the action mechanisms of sevoflurane while a biologically realistic mathematical model was employed to explore at fine grain the molecular targets of anesthetic analyzing its impact on neuronal activity. The sevoflurane altered neurotransmission by strongly increasing GABAergic inhibition while decreasing glutamatergic NMDA activity. These changes caused a notable reduction of spike discharge in cerebellar granule cells (GrCs) following repetitive activation by excitatory mossy fibers (mfs). Unexpectedly, sevoflurane altered GrCs intrinsic excitability promoting action potential generation. Computational modelling revealed that this effect was triggered by an acceleration of persistent sodium current kinetics and by an increase in voltage dependent potassium current conductance. The overall effect was a reduced variability of GrCs responses elicited by mfs supporting the idea that sevoflurane shapes neuronal communication without silencing neural circuits.

Physiological roles of heteromerization: focus on the two-pore domain potassium channels

Potassium channels form the largest family of ion channels with more than 80 members involved in cell excitability and signalling. Most of them exist as homomeric channels, whereas specific conditions are required to obtain heteromeric channels. It is well established that heteromerization of voltage-gated and inward rectifier potassium channels affects their function, increasing the diversity of the native potassium currents. For potassium channels with two pore domains (K_2P ), homomerization has long been considered the rule, their polymodal regulation by a wide diversity of physical and chemical stimuli being responsible for the adaptation of the leak potassium currents to cellular needs. This view has recently evolved with the accumulation of evidence of heteromerization between different K_2P subunits. Several functional intragroup and intergroup heteromers have recently been identified, which contribute to the functional heterogeneity of this family. K_2P heteromerization is involved in the modulation of channel expression and trafficking, promoting functional and signalling diversity. As illustrated in the Abstract Figure, heteromerization of TREK1 and TRAAK provides the cell with more possibilities of regulation. It is becoming increasingly evident that K_2P heteromers contribute to important physiological functions including neuronal and cardiac excitability. Since heteromerization also affects the pharmacology of K_2P channels, this understanding helps to establish K_2P heteromers as new therapeutic targets for physiopathological conditions.

A 5' UTR GGN repeat controls localisation and translation of a potassium leak channel mRNA through G-quadruplex formation

RNA G-quadruplexes (G4s) are secondary structures proposed to function as regulators of post-transcriptional mRNA localisation and translation. G4s within some neuronal mRNAs are known to control distal localisation and local translation, contributing to distinct local proteomes that facilitate the synaptic remodelling attributed to normal cellular function. In this study, we characterise the G4 formation of a (GGN)13 repeat found within the 5' UTR of the potassium 2-pore domain leak channel Task3 mRNA. Biophysical analyses show that this (GGN)13 repeat forms a parallel G4 in vitro exhibiting the stereotypical potassium specificity of G4s, remaining thermostable under physiological ionic conditions. Through mouse brain tissue G4-RNA immunoprecipitation, we further confirm that Task3 mRNA forms a G4 structure in vivo. The G4 is inhibitory to translation of Task3 in vitro and is overcome through activity of a G4-specific helicase DHX36, increasing K+ leak currents and membrane hyperpolarisation in HEK293 cells. Further, we observe that this G4 is fundamental to ensuring delivery of Task3 mRNA to distal primary cortical neurites. It has been shown that aberrant Task3 expression correlates with neuronal dysfunction, we therefore posit that this G4 is important in regulated local expression of Task3 leak channels that maintain K+ leak within neurons.

Monoterpenes Differently Regulate Acid-Sensitive and Mechano-Gated K2P Channels

Potassium K_2P (“leak”) channels conduct current across the entire physiological voltage range and carry leak or “background” currents that are, in part, time- and voltage-independent. The activity of K_2P channels affects numerous physiological processes, such as cardiac function, pain perception, depression, neuroprotection, and cancer development. We have recently established that, when expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes, K_2P2.1 (TREK-1) channels are activated by several monoterpenes (MTs). Here, we show that, within a few minutes of exposure, other mechano-gated K_2P channels, K_2P4.1 (TRAAK) and K_2P10.1 (TREK-2), are opened by monoterpenes as well (up to an eightfold increase in current). Furthermor\e, carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde robustly enhance currents of the alkaline-sensitive K_2P5.1 (up to a 17-fold increase in current). Other members of the K_2P potassium channels, K_2P17.1, K_2P18.1, but not K_2P16.1, were also activated by various MTs. Conversely, the activity of members of the acid-sensitive (TASK) K_2P channels (K_2P3.1 and K_2P9.1) was rapidly decreased by monoterpenes. We found that MT selectively decreased the voltage-dependent portion of the current and that current inhibition was reduced with the elevation of external K⁺ concentration. These findings suggest that penetration of MTs into the outer leaflet of the membrane results in immediate changes at the selectivity filter of members of the TASK channel family. Thus, we suggest MTs as promising new tools for the study of K_2P channels’ activity in vitro as well as in vivo.

A regulatory domain in the K2P2.1 (TREK-1) carboxyl-terminal allows for channel activation by monoterpenes

Potassium K_2P ('leak') channels conduct current across the entire physiological voltage range and carry leak or 'background' currents that are, in part, time- and voltage-independent. K_2P2.1 channels (i.e., TREK-1, KCNK2) are highly expressed in excitable tissues, where they play a key role in the cellular mechanisms of neuroprotection, anesthesia, pain perception, and depression. Here, we report for the first time that human K_2P2.1 channel activity is regulated by monoterpenes (MTs). We found that cyclic, aromatic monoterpenes containing a phenol moiety, such as carvacrol, thymol and 4-IPP had the most profound effect on current flowing through the channel (up to a 6-fold increase). By performing sequential truncation of the carboxyl-terminal domain of the channel and testing the activity of several channel regulators, we identified two distinct regulatory domains within this portion of the protein. One domain, as previously reported, was needed for regulation by arachidonic acid, anionic phospholipids, and temperature changes. Within a second domain, a triple arginine residue motif (R344-346), an apparent PIP₂-binding site, was found to be essential for regulation by holding potential changes and important for regulation by monoterpenes.

Inhibition of histone deacetylation rescues phenotype in a mouse model of Birk-Barel intellectual disability syndrome

Mutations in the actively expressed, maternal allele of the imprinted KCNK9 gene cause Birk-Barel intellectual disability syndrome (BBIDS). Using a BBIDS mouse model, we identify here a partial rescue of the BBIDS-like behavioral and neuronal phenotypes mediated via residual expression from the paternal Kcnk9 (Kcnk9^pat) allele. We further demonstrate that the second-generation HDAC inhibitor CI-994 induces enhanced expression from the paternally silenced Kcnk9 allele and leads to a full rescue of the behavioral phenotype suggesting CI-994 as a promising molecule for BBIDS therapy. Thus, these findings suggest a potential approach to improve cognitive dysfunction in a mouse model of an imprinting disorder.

Birk-Barel intellectual disability is an imprinting syndrome due to maternally-only transmitted mutations of KCNK9/TASK3. Here authors are using a heterozygous deletion of the active maternal Kcnk9 allele to model the disease and show phenotypic rescue by HDAC inhibition.

A Xenopus oocyte model system to study action potentials

Voltage-gated Na⁺ and K⁺ channels are known to underlie the temporal characteristics of action potentials. Corbin-Leftwich et al. establish reliable action potential recordings from Xenopus oocytes coexpressing these channels and show how different K⁺ channel subtypes can modulate excitability.

Action potentials (APs) are the functional units of fast electrical signaling in excitable cells. The upstroke and downstroke of an AP is generated by the competing and asynchronous action of Na⁺- and K⁺-selective voltage-gated conductances. Although a mixture of voltage-gated channels has been long recognized to contribute to the generation and temporal characteristics of the AP, understanding how each of these proteins function and are regulated during electrical signaling remains the subject of intense research. AP properties vary among different cellular types because of the expression diversity, subcellular location, and modulation of ion channels. These complexities, in addition to the functional coupling of these proteins by membrane potential, make it challenging to understand the roles of different channels in initiating and “temporally shaping” the AP. Here, to address this problem, we focus our efforts on finding conditions that allow reliable AP recordings from Xenopus laevis oocytes coexpressing Na⁺ and K⁺ channels. As a proof of principle, we show how the expression of a variety of K⁺ channel subtypes can modulate excitability in this minimal model system. This approach raises the prospect of studies on the modulation of APs by pharmacological or biological means with a controlled background of Na⁺ and K⁺ channel expression.

Abnormal respiration under hyperoxia in TASK-1/3 potassium channel double knockout mice

Despite intensive research, the exact function of TASK potassium channels in central and peripheral chemoreception is still under debate. In this study, we investigated the respiration of unrestrained TASK-3 (TASK-3^-/-) and TASK-1/TASK-3 double knockout (TASK-1/3^-/-) adult male mice in vivo using a plethysmographic device. Ventilation parameters of TASK-3^-/- mice were normal under control condition (21% O₂) and upon hypoxia and hypercapnia they displayed the physiological increase of ventilation. TASK-1/3^-/- mice showed increased ventilation under control conditions. This increase of ventilation was caused by increased tidal volumes (V_T), a phenomenon similarly observed in TASK-1^-/- mice. Under acute hypoxia, TASK-1/3^-/- mice displayed the physiological increase of the minute volume. Interestingly, this increase was not related to an increase of the respiratory frequency (f_R), as observed in wild-type mice, but was caused by a strong increase of V_T. This particular respiratory phenotype is reminiscent of the respiratory phenotype of carotid body-denervated rodents in the compensated state. Acute hypercapnia (5% CO₂) stimulated ventilation in TASK-1/3^-/- and wild-type mice to a similar extent; however, at higher CO₂ concentrations (>5% CO₂) the stimulation of ventilation was more pronounced in TASK-1/3^-/- mice. At hyperoxia (100% O₂), TASK-1^-/-, TASK-3^-/- and wild-type mice showed the physiological small decrease of ventilation. In sharp contrast, TASK-1/3^-/- mice exhibited an abnormal increase of ventilation under hyperoxia. In summary, these measurements showed a grossly normal respiration of TASK-3^-/- mice and a respiratory phenotype of TASK-1/3^-/- mice that was characterized by a markedly enhanced tidal volume, similar to the one observed in TASK-1^-/- mice. The abnormal hyperoxia response, exclusively found in TASK-1/3^-/- double mutant mice, indicates that both TASK-1 and TASK-3 are essential for the hyperoxia-induced hypoventilation. The peculiar respiratory phenotype of TASK-1/3 knockout mice is reminiscent of the respiration of animals with long-term carotid body dysfunction. Taken together, TASK-1 and TASK-3 appear to serve specific and distinct roles in the complex processes underlying chemoreception and respiratory control.

A balance of outward and linear inward ionic currents is required for generation of slow-wave oscillations

Regenerative inward currents help produce slow oscillations through a negative-slope conductance region of their current-voltage relationship that is well approximated by a linear negative conductance. We used dynamic-clamp injections of a linear current with such conductance, I_NL, to explore why some neurons can generate intrinsic slow oscillations whereas others cannot. We addressed this question in synaptically isolated neurons of the crab Cancer borealis after blocking action potentials. The pyloric network consists of a distinct pacemaker and follower neurons, all of which express the same complement of ionic currents. When the pyloric dilator (PD) neuron, a member of the pacemaker group, was injected with I_NL with dynamic clamp, it consistently produced slow oscillations. In contrast, all follower neurons failed to oscillate with I_NL To understand these distinct behaviors, we compared outward current levels of PD with those of follower lateral pyloric (LP) and ventral pyloric (VD) neurons. We found that LP and VD neurons had significantly larger high-threshold potassium currents (I_HTK) than PD and LP had lower-transient potassium current (I_A). Reducing I_HTK pharmacologically enabled both LP and VD neurons to produce I_NL-induced oscillations, whereas modifying I_A levels did not affect I_NL-induced oscillations. Using phase-plane and bifurcation analysis of a simplified model cell, we demonstrate that large levels of I_HTK can block I_NL-induced oscillatory activity whereas generation of oscillations is almost independent of I_A levels. These results demonstrate the general importance of a balance between inward pacemaking currents and high-threshold K⁺ current levels in determining slow oscillatory activity.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Pacemaker neuron-generated rhythmic activity requires the activation of at least one inward and one outward current. We have previously shown that the inward current can be a linear current (with negative conductance). Using this simple mechanism, here we demonstrate that the inward current conductance must be in relative balance with the outward current conductances to generate oscillatory activity. Surprisingly, an excess of outward conductances completely precludes the possibility of achieving such a balance.

Exploring the significance of morphological diversity for cerebellar granule cell excitability

The relatively simple and compact morphology of cerebellar granule cells (CGCs) has led to the view that heterogeneity in CGC shape has negligible impact upon the integration of mossy fibre (MF) information. Following electrophysiological recording, 3D models were constructed from high-resolution imaging data to identify morphological features that could influence the coding of MF input patterns by adult CGCs. Quantification of MF and CGC morphology provided evidence that CGCs could be connected to the multiple rosettes that arise from a single MF input. Predictions from our computational models propose that MF inputs could be more densely encoded within the CGC layer than previous models suggest. Moreover, those MF signals arriving onto the dendrite closest to the axon will generate greater CGC excitation. However, the impact of this morphological variability on MF input selectivity will be attenuated by high levels of CGC inhibition providing further flexibility to the MF → CGC pathway. These features could be particularly important when considering the integration of multimodal MF sensory input by individual CGCs.

High sensitivity of spontaneous spike frequency to sodium leak current in a Lymnaea pacemaker neuron

The spontaneous rhythmic firing of action potentials in pacemaker neurons depends on the biophysical properties of voltage-gated ion channels and background leak currents. The background leak current includes a large K⁺ and a small Na⁺ component. We previously reported that a Na⁺ -leak current via U-type channels is required to generate spontaneous action potential firing in the identified respiratory pacemaker neuron, RPeD1, in the freshwater pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis. We further investigated the functional significance of the background Na⁺ current in rhythmic spiking of RPeD1 neurons. Whole-cell patch-clamp recording and computational modeling approaches were carried out in isolated RPeD1 neurons. The whole-cell current of the major ion channel components in RPeD1 neurons were characterized, and a conductance-based computational model of the rhythmic pacemaker activity was simulated with the experimental measurements. We found that the spiking rate is more sensitive to changes in the Na⁺ leak current as compared to the K⁺ leak current, suggesting a robust function of Na⁺ leak current in regulating spontaneous neuronal firing activity. Our study provides new insight into our current understanding of the role of Na⁺ leak current in intrinsic properties of pacemaker neurons.

A Non-canonical Voltage-Sensing Mechanism Controls Gating in K2P K(+) Channels

Two-pore domain (K2P) K(+) channels are major regulators of excitability that endow cells with an outwardly rectifying background "leak" conductance. In some K2P channels, strong voltage-dependent activation has been observed, but the mechanism remains unresolved because they lack a canonical voltage-sensing domain. Here, we show voltage-dependent gating is common to most K2P channels and that this voltage sensitivity originates from the movement of three to four ions into the high electric field of an inactive selectivity filter. Overall, this ion-flux gating mechanism generates a one-way "check valve" within the filter because outward movement of K(+) induces filter opening, whereas inward movement promotes inactivation. Furthermore, many physiological stimuli switch off this flux gating mode to convert K2P channels into a leak conductance. These findings provide insight into the functional plasticity of a K(+)-selective filter and also refine our understanding of K2P channels and the mechanisms by which ion channels can sense voltage.

KCNK9 imprinting syndrome-further delineation of a possible treatable disorder

Patients with KCNK9 imprinting syndrome demonstrate congenital hypotonia, variable cleft palate, normal MRIs and EEGs, delayed development, and feeding problems. Associated facial dysmorphic features include dolichocephaly with bitemporal narrowing, short philtrum, tented upper lip, palatal abnormalities, and small mandible. This disorder maps to chromosomal region 8q24, and it is caused by a specific missense mutation 770G>A in exon 2, replacing glycine at position 236 by arginine (G236R) in the maternal copy of KCNK9 within this locus. KCNK9 (also called TASK3) encodes a member of the two pore- domain potassium channel (K2P) subfamily. This gene is normally imprinted with paternal silencing, thus a mutation in the maternal copy of the gene will result in disease, whereas a mutation in the paternal copy will have no effect. Exome sequencing in four new patients with developmental delay and central hypotonia revealed de novo G236R mutations. Older members of a previously reported Arab-Israeli family have intellectual disability of variable severity, persistent feeding difficulties in infancy with dysphagia of liquids and dysphonia with a muffled voice in early adulthood, generalized hypotonia, weakness of proximal muscles, elongated face with narrow bitemporal diameter, and reduced facial movements. We describe the clinical features in four recently recognized younger patients and compare them with those found in members of the originally reported Arab-Israeli family and suggest this may be a treatable disorder. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

New Perspectives on Genomic Imprinting, an Essential and Multifaceted Mode of Epigenetic Control in the Developing and Adult Brain

Mammalian evolution entailed multiple innovations in gene regulation, including the emergence of genomic imprinting, an epigenetic regulation leading to the preferential expression of a gene from its maternal or paternal allele. Genomic imprinting is highly prevalent in the brain, yet, until recently, its central roles in neural processes have not been fully appreciated. Here, we provide a comprehensive survey of adult and developmental brain functions influenced by imprinted genes, from neural development and wiring to synaptic function and plasticity, energy balance, social behaviors, emotions, and cognition. We further review the widespread identification of parental biases alongside monoallelic expression in brain tissues, discuss their potential roles in dosage regulation of key neural pathways, and suggest possible mechanisms underlying the dynamic regulation of imprinting in the brain. This review should help provide a better understanding of the significance of genomic imprinting in the normal and pathological brain of mammals including humans.

Neuromodulation to the Rescue: Compensation of Temperature-Induced Breakdown of Rhythmic Motor Patterns via Extrinsic Neuromodulatory Input

Stable rhythmic neural activity depends on the well-coordinated interplay of synaptic and cell-intrinsic conductances. Since all biophysical processes are temperature dependent, this interplay is challenged during temperature fluctuations. How the nervous system remains functional during temperature perturbations remains mostly unknown. We present a hitherto unknown mechanism of how temperature-induced changes in neural networks are compensated by changing their neuromodulatory state: activation of neuromodulatory pathways establishes a dynamic coregulation of synaptic and intrinsic conductances with opposing effects on neuronal activity when temperature changes, hence rescuing neuronal activity. Using the well-studied gastric mill pattern generator of the crab, we show that modest temperature increase can abolish rhythmic activity in isolated neural circuits due to increased leak currents in rhythm-generating neurons. Dynamic clamp-mediated addition of leak currents was sufficient to stop neuronal oscillations at low temperatures, and subtraction of additional leak currents at elevated temperatures was sufficient to rescue the rhythm. Despite the apparent sensitivity of the isolated nervous system to temperature fluctuations, the rhythm could be stabilized by activating extrinsic neuromodulatory inputs from descending projection neurons, a strategy that we indeed found to be implemented in intact animals. In the isolated nervous system, temperature compensation was achieved by stronger extrinsic neuromodulatory input from projection neurons or by augmenting projection neuron influence via bath application of the peptide cotransmitter Cancer borealis tachykinin-related peptide Ia (CabTRP Ia). CabTRP Ia activates the modulator-induced current I_MI (a nonlinear voltage-gated inward current) that effectively acted as a negative leak current and counterbalanced the temperature-induced leak to rescue neuronal oscillations. Computational modelling revealed the ability of I_MI to reduce detrimental leak-current influences on neuronal networks over a broad conductance range and indicated that leak and I_MI are closely coregulated in the biological system to enable stable motor patterns. In conclusion, these results show that temperature compensation does not need to be implemented within the network itself but can be conditionally provided by extrinsic neuromodulatory input that counterbalances temperature-induced modifications of circuit-intrinsic properties.

An electrophysiology and modelling study reveals how temperature can affect the balance of ionic conductances in neural circuits and how neuromodulators can compensate for detrimental temperature effects.

All physiological processes are influenced by temperature. This is a particular problem for the nervous system, as temperature changes can disrupt the well-balanced flow of ions across the cell membrane necessary for maintaining nerve cell function. Possessing compensatory mechanisms that counterbalance detrimental temperature effects and maintain vital behaviors is especially important for poikilothermic animals, because they do not actively maintain their body temperature and can experience substantial temperature fluctuations. In this study, we analyze the mechanisms that allow the nervous system to maintain rhythmic activity over a range of different temperatures. To do so, we use the well-characterized central pattern generator of the stomatogastric nervous system of the crab that controls the motion of the gut. In this system, when experimentally isolated from the rest of the nervous system, even a small temperature increase can lead to termination of rhythmic activity due to a change in the balance of ionic conductances at elevated temperatures. However, the intact animal can compensate for these detrimental temperature effects. We demonstrate that such compensation can be achieved by restoring the balance of ionic conductance via an increase in neuromodulator release from projection neurons that control the motor circuits. We conclude that temperature compensation via neuromodulation may be a widespread phenomenon since it allows quick and flexible compensation of temperature influences on the nervous system.

Involvement of leak K+ channels in neurological disorders

TWIK-related acid-sensitive K⁺ (TASK) channels give rise to leak K⁺ currents which influence the resting membrane potential and input resistance. The wide expression of TASK1 and TASK3 channels in the central nervous system suggests that these channels are critically involved in neurological disorders. It has become apparent in the past decade that TASK channels play critical roles for the development of various neurological disorders. In this review, I describe evidence for their roles in ischemia, epilepsy, learning/memory/cognition and apoptosis.

Much more than a leak: structure and function of K₂p-channels

Over the last decade, we have seen an enormous increase in the number of experimental studies on two-pore-domain potassium channels (K2P-channels). The collection of reviews and original articles compiled for this special issue of Pflügers Archiv aims to give an up-to-date summary of what is known about the physiology and pathophysiology of K2P-channels. This introductory overview briefly describes the structure of K2P-channels and their function in different organs. Its main aim is to provide some background information for the 19 reviews and original articles of this special issue of Pflügers Archiv. It is not intended to be a comprehensive review; instead, this introductory overview focuses on some unresolved questions and controversial issues, such as: Do K2P-channels display voltage-dependent gating? Do K2P-channels contribute to the generation of action potentials? What is the functional role of alternative translation initiation? Do K2P-channels have one or two or more gates? We come to the conclusion that we are just beginning to understand the extremely complex regulation of these fascinating channels, which are often inadequately described as 'leak channels'.

Two-pore domain potassium channels enable action potential generation in the absence of voltage-gated potassium channels

In this study, we explored the possibility that two-pore domain potassium (K2P) channels are sufficient to support action potential (AP) generation in the absence of conventional voltage-gated potassium (KV) channels. Hodgkin-Huxley parameters were used to mimic the presence of voltage-gated sodium (NaV) channels in HEK-293 cells. Recombinant expression of either TREK-1 or TASK-3 channels was then used to generate a hyperpolarised resting membrane potential (RMP) leading to the characteristic non-linear current-voltage relationship expected of a K2P-mediated conductance. During conductance simulation experiments, both TASK-3 and TREK-1 channels were able to repolarise the membrane once AP threshold was reached, and at physiologically relevant current densities, this K2P-mediated conductance supported sustained AP firing. Moreover, the magnitude of the conductance correlated with the speed of the AP rise in a manner predicted from our computational studies. We discuss the physiological impact of axonal K2P channels and speculate on the possible clinical relevance of K2P channel modulation when considering the actions of general and local anaesthetics.

The role of K₂p channels in anaesthesia and sleep

Tandem two-pore potassium channels (K_2Ps) have widespread expression in the central nervous system and periphery where they contribute to background membrane conductance. Some general anaesthetics promote the opening of some of these channels, enhancing potassium currents and thus producing a reduction in neuronal excitability that contributes to the transition to unconsciousness. Similarly, these channels may be recruited during the normal sleep-wake cycle as downstream effectors of wake-promoting neurotransmitters such as noradrenaline, histamine and acetylcholine. These transmitters promote K_2P channel closure and thus an increase in neuronal excitability. Our understanding of the roles of these channels in sleep and anaesthesia has been largely informed by the study of mouse K_2P knockout lines and what is currently predicted by in vitro electrophysiology and channel structure and gating.

KV 10.1 opposes activity-dependent increase in Ca²⁺ influx into the presynaptic terminal of the parallel fibre-Purkinje cell synapse

KEY POINTS

Voltage-gated KV 10.1 potassium channels are widely expressed in the mammalian brain but their function remains poorly understood. We report that KV 10.1 is enriched in the presynaptic terminals and does not take part in somatic action potentials. In parallel fibre synapses in the cerebellar cortex, we find that KV 10.1 regulates Ca(2+) influx and neurotransmitter release during repetitive high-frequency activity. Our results describe the physiological role of mammalian KV 10.1 for the first time and help understand the fine-tuning of synaptic transmission. The voltage-gated potassium channel KV 10.1 (Eag1) is widely expressed in the mammalian brain, but its physiological function is not yet understood. Previous studies revealed highest expression levels in hippocampus and cerebellum and suggested a synaptic localization of the channel. The distinct activation kinetics of KV 10.1 indicate a role during repetitive activity of the cell. Here, we confirm the synaptic localization of KV 10.1 both biochemically and functionally and that the channel is sufficiently fast at physiological temperature to take part in repolarization of the action potential (AP). We studied the role of the channel in cerebellar physiology using patch clamp and two-photon Ca(2+) imaging in KV 10.1-deficient and wild-type mice. The excitability and action potential waveform recorded at granule cell somata was unchanged, while Ca(2+) influx into axonal boutons was enhanced in mutants in response to stimulation with three APs, but not after a single AP. Furthermore, mutants exhibited a frequency-dependent increase in facilitation at the parallel fibre-Purkinje cell synapse at high firing rates. We propose that KV 10.1 acts as a modulator of local AP shape specifically during high-frequency burst firing when other potassium channels suffer cumulative inactivation.

Diacylglycerol mediates regulation of TASK potassium channels by Gq-coupled receptors

The two-pore domain potassium (K2P) channels TASK-1 (KCNK3) and TASK-3 (KCNK9) are important determinants of background K(+) conductance and membrane potential. TASK-1/3 activity is regulated by hormones and transmitters that act through G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) signalling via G proteins of the Gαq/11 subclass. How the receptors inhibit channel activity has remained unclear. Here, we show that TASK-1 and -3 channels are gated by diacylglycerol (DAG). Receptor-initiated inhibition of TASK required the activity of phospholipase C, but neither depletion of the PLC substrate PI(4,5)P2 nor release of the downstream messengers IP3 and Ca(2+). Attenuation of cellular DAG transients by DAG kinase or lipase suppressed receptor-dependent inhibition, showing that the increase in cellular DAG-but not in downstream lipid metabolites-mediates channel inhibition. The findings identify DAG as the signal regulating TASK channels downstream of GPCRs and define a novel role for DAG that directly links cellular DAG dynamics to excitability.

TWIK-1 contributes to the intrinsic excitability of dentate granule cells in mouse hippocampus

BACKGROUND

Two-pore domain K(+) (K2P) channels have been shown to modulate neuronal excitability. However, physiological function of TWIK-1, the first identified member of the mammalian K2P channel family, in neuronal cells is largely unknown.

RESULTS

We found that TWIK-1 proteins were expressed and localized mainly in the soma and proximal dendrites of dentate gyrus granule cells (DGGCs) rather than in distal dendrites or mossy fibers. Gene silencing demonstrates that the outwardly rectifying K(+) current density was reduced in TWIK-1-deficient granule cells. TWIK-1 deficiency caused a depolarizing shift in the resting membrane potential (RMP) of DGGCs and enhanced their firing rate in response to depolarizing current injections. Through perforant path stimulation, TWIK-1-deficient granule cells showed altered signal input-output properties with larger EPSP amplitude values and increased spiking compared to control DGGCs. In addition, supra-maximal perforant path stimulation evoked a graded burst discharge in 44% of TWIK-1-deficient cells, which implies impairment of EPSP-spike coupling.

CONCLUSIONS

These results showed that TWIK-1 is functionally expressed in DGGCs and contributes to the intrinsic excitability of these cells. The TWIK-1 channel is involved in establishing the RMP of DGGCs; it attenuates sub-threshold depolarization of the cells during neuronal activity, and contributes to EPSP-spike coupling in perforant path-to-granule cell synaptic transmission.

Silencing the KCNK9 potassium channel (TASK-3) gene disturbs mitochondrial function, causes mitochondrial depolarization, and induces apoptosis of human melanoma cells

TASK-3 (KCNK9 or K2P9.1) channels are thought to promote proliferation and/or survival of malignantly transformed cells, most likely by increasing their hypoxia tolerance. Based on our previous results that suggested mitochondrial expression of TASK-3 channels, we hypothesized that TASK-3 channels have roles in maintaining mitochondrial activity. In the present work we studied the effect of reduced TASK-3 expression on the mitochondrial function and survival of WM35 and A2058 melanoma cells. TASK-3 knockdown cells had depolarized mitochondrial membrane potential and contained a reduced amount of mitochondrial DNA. Compared to their scrambled shRNA-transfected counterparts, they demonstrated diminished responsiveness to the application of the mitochondrial uncoupler [(3-chlorophenyl)hydrazono]malononitrile (CCCP). These observations indicate impaired mitochondrial function. Further, TASK-3 knockdown cells presented reduced viability, decreased total DNA content, altered cell morphology, and reduced surface area. In contrast to non- and scrambled shRNA-transfected melanoma cell lines, which did not present noteworthy apoptotic activity, almost 50 % of the TASK-3 knockdown cells exhibited strong Annexin-V-specific immunofluorescence signal. Sequestration of cytochrome c from the mitochondria to the cytosol, increased caspase 3 activity, and translocation of the apoptosis-inducing factor from mitochondria to cell nuclei were also demonstrated in TASK-3 knockdown cells. Interference with TASK-3 channel expression, therefore, induces caspase-dependent and -independent apoptosis of melanoma cells, most likely via causing mitochondrial depolarization. Consequently, TASK-3 channels may be legitimate targets of future melanoma therapies.

Differential expression of two-pore domain potassium channels in rat cerebellar granule neurons

Two pore domain potassium (K2P) channels are mostly present in the central nervous system (CNS) where they play important roles in modulating neuronal excitability. K2P channels give rise to background K(+) currents (IKSO) a key component in setting and maintaining the resting membrane potential in excitable cells. Here, we studied the expression and relative abundances of K2P channels in cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs), combining molecular biology, electrophysiology and immunologic techniques. The CGN IKSO was very sensitive to external pH, as previously reported. Quantitative determination of mRNA expression level demonstrated the existence of an accumulation pattern of transcripts in CGN that encode K2P9>K2P1>K2P3>K2P18>K2P2=K2P10>K2P4>K2P5 subunits. The presence of the major K2P subunits expressed was then confirmed by Western blot and immunofluorescence analysis, demonstrating robust expression of K2P1 (TWIK-1), K2P3 (TASK-1), K2P9 (TASK-3) and K2P18 (TRESK) channel protein. Based, on these results, it is concluded that K2P1, -3, -9 and -18 subunits represent the majority component of IKSO current in CGN.

Screening individuals with intellectual disability, autism and Tourette's syndrome for KCNK9 mutations and aberrant DNA methylation within the 8q24 imprinted cluster

The phenotype overlap between autism spectrum disorders (ASD) & intellectual disabilities (ID) is mirrored at the genetic level, with common genes being reported mutated in variety of developmental disabilities. However despite widespread genetic screening for mutations, in approximately 40-60% of childhood developmental disorders the genetic cause remains unknown. Several genome-wide linkage screens in ASD have identified a locus mapping to distal 8q. We have recently identified a novel brain-specific imprinted cluster at this location, which contains the reciprocally expressed maternal KCNK9 and paternally expressed non-coding PEG13 transcripts, the latter located within an intron of TRAPPC9. Interestingly, mutations of KCNK9 and TRAPPC9 have been reported in Birk-Barel mental retardation and non-syndromic familial forms of ID, respectively. Here, we report a genetic screen for KCNK9 coding mutations and potential epigenetic aberrations that could result in deregulated imprinting in a cohort of 120 ID, 86 ASD and 86 Tourette syndrome patients. Fifteen of the ID patients had clinical characteristics overlapping with Birk-Barel syndrome. Sequencing of the two coding exons of KCNK9 failed to identify pathologic mutations, with only one variant, rs2615374, being present with allele frequencies similar to those described in dbSNP database. DNA methylation profiling of the KCNK9 and TRAPPC9 promoters, the maternally methylated PEG13 DMR and a long-range enhancer region were normal in all patients. Our findings suggest that mutations of KCNK9 or epigenetic disturbances within the PEG13 imprinted cluster do not significantly contribute to the cause of the developmental disabilities tested in this study.

Tear fluid hyperosmolality increases nerve impulse activity of cold thermoreceptor endings of the cornea

Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial disorder affecting the composition and volume of tears. DED causes ocular surface dryness, cooling, and hyperosmolality, leading ultimately to corneal epithelium damage and reduced visual performance. Ocular discomfort is the main clinical symptom in DED. However, the peripheral neural source of such unpleasant sensations is still unclear. We analyzed in excised, superfused mouse eyes, the effect of NaCl-induced hyperosmolality (325-1005 mOsm·kg(-1)) on corneal cold thermoreceptor and polymodal nociceptor nerve terminal impulse (NTI) activity. Osmolality elevations at basal corneal temperature (33.6°C) linearly increased the ongoing NTI frequency of cold thermoreceptors, at a mean rate of 0.34 imp·s(-1)/10 mOsm. This frequency increase became significant with osmolality values greater than 340 mOsm. Comparison of cold thermoreceptor activity increase induced by a dynamic temperature reduction of 1.8°C under iso- and hyperosmolal (360-mOsm) conditions provided evidence that more than 50% of the increased firing response was attributable to hyperosmolality. Comparatively, activation of corneal polymodal nociceptor endings by hyperosmolal solutions started with values of 600 mOsm and greater. Sensitization of polymodal nociceptors by continuous perfusion with an "inflammatory soup" (bradykinin, histamine, prostaglandin E2 [PGE2], serotonin, and adenosine triphosphate [ATP]) did not enhance their activation by hyperosmolal solutions. High osmolality also altered the firing pattern and shape of cold and polymodal NTIs, possibly reflecting disturbances in local membrane currents. Results strongly suggest that tear osmolality elevations in the range observed in DED predominantly excite cold thermoreceptors, supporting the hypothesis that dryness sensations experienced by these patients are due, at least in part, to an augmented activity of corneal cold thermoreceptors.

The role of linear and voltage-dependent ionic currents in the generation of slow wave oscillations

Neuronal oscillatory activity is generated by a combination of ionic currents, including at least one inward regenerative current that brings the cell towards depolarized voltages and one outward current that repolarizes the cell. Such currents have traditionally been assumed to require voltage-dependence. Here we test the hypothesis that the voltage dependence of the regenerative inward current is not necessary for generating oscillations. Instead, a current I NL that is linear in the biological voltage range and has negative conductance is sufficient to produce regenerative activity. The current I NL can be considered a linear approximation to the negative-conductance region of the current-voltage relationship of a regenerative inward current. Using a simple conductance-based model, we show that I NL , in conjunction with a voltage-gated, non-inactivating outward current, can generate oscillatory activity. We use phase-plane and bifurcation analyses to uncover a rich variety of behaviors as the conductance of I NL is varied, and show that oscillations emerge as a result of destabilization of the resting state of the model neuron. The model shows the need for well-defined relationships between the inward and outward current conductances, as well as their reversal potentials, in order to produce stable oscillatory activity. Our analysis predicts that a hyperpolarization-activated inward current can play a role in stabilizing oscillatory activity by preventing swings to very negative voltages, which is consistent with what is recorded in biological neurons in general. We confirm this prediction of the model experimentally in neurons from the crab stomatogastric ganglion.

Recovery of current through mutated TASK3 potassium channels underlying Birk Barel syndrome

TASK3 (TWIK-related acid-sensitive K(+) channel 3) potassium channels are members of the two-pore-domain potassium channel family. They are responsible for background leak potassium currents found in many cell types. TASK3 channels are genetically imprinted, and a mutation in TASK3 (G236R) is responsible for Birk Barel mental retardation dysmorphism syndrome, a maternally transmitted developmental disorder. This syndrome may arise from a neuronal migration defect during development caused by dysfunctional TASK3 channels. Through the use of whole-cell electrophysiologic recordings, we have found that, although G236R mutated TASK3 channels give rise to a functional current, this current is significantly smaller in an outward direction when compared with wild-type (WT) TASK3 channels. In contrast to WT TASK3 channels, the current is inwardly rectifying. Furthermore, the current through mutated channels is differentially sensitive to a number of regulators, such as extracellular acidification, extracellular zinc, and activation of Gαq-coupled muscarinic (M3) receptors, compared with WT TASK3 channels. The reduced outward current through mutated TASK3_G236R channels can be overcome, at least in part, by both a gain-of-function additional mutation of TASK3 channels (A237T) or by application of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug flufenamic acid (FFA; 2-{[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]amino}benzoic acid). FFA produces a significantly greater enhancement of current through mutated channels than through WT TASK3 channels. We propose that pharmacologic enhancement of mutated TASK3 channel current during development may, therefore, provide a potentially useful therapeutic strategy in the treatment of Birk Barel syndrome.

17β-estradiol downregulated the expression of TASK-1 channels in mouse neuroblastoma N2A cells

TASK channels, an acid-sensitive subgroup of two pore domain K⁺ (K2P) channels family, were widely expressed in a variety of neural tissues, and exhibited potent functions such as the regulation of membrane potential. The steroid hormone estrogen was able to interact with K⁺ channels, including voltage-gated K⁺ (Kv) and large conductance Ca²⁺-activated (BK) K⁺ channels, in different types of cells like cardiac myocytes and neurons. However, it is unclear about the effects of estrogen on TASK channels. In the present study, the expressions of two members of acid-sensitive TASK channels, TASK-1 and TASK-2, were detected in mouse neuroblastoma N2A cells by RT-PCR. Extracellular acidification (pH 6.4) weakly but statistically significantly inhibited the outward background current by 22.9 % at a holding potential of 0 mV, which inactive voltage-gated K⁺ currents, suggesting that there existed the functional TASK channels in the membrane of N2A cells. Although these currents were not altered by the acute application of 100 nM 17β-estradiol, incubation with 10 nM 17β-estradiol for 48 h reduced the mRNA level of TASK-1 channels by 40.4 % without any effect on TASK-2 channels. The proliferation rates of N2A cells were also increased by treatment with 10 nM 17β-estradiol for 48 h. These data implied that N2A cells expressed functional TASK channels and chronic exposure to 17β-estradiol downregulated the expression of TASK-1 channels and improved cell proliferation. The effect of 17β-estradiol on TASK-1 channels might be an alternative mechanism for the neuroprotective action of 17β-estradiol.

Enhancement of TWIK-related acid-sensitive potassium channel 3 (TASK3) two-pore domain potassium channel activity by tumor necrosis factor α

TASK3 two-pore domain potassium (K2P) channels are responsible for native leak K channels in many cell types which regulate cell resting membrane potential and excitability. In addition, TASK3 channels contribute to the regulation of cellular potassium homeostasis. Because TASK3 channels are important for cell viability, having putative roles in both neuronal apoptosis and oncogenesis, we sought to determine their behavior under inflammatory conditions by investigating the effect of TNFα on TASK3 channel current. TASK3 channels were expressed in tsA-201 cells, and the current through them was measured using whole cell voltage clamp recordings. We show that THP-1 human myeloid leukemia monocytes, co-cultured with hTASK3-transfected tsA-201 cells, can be activated by the specific Toll-like receptor 7/8 activator, R848, to release TNFα that subsequently enhances hTASK3 current. Both hTASK3 and mTASK3 channel activity is increased by incubation with recombinant TNFα (10 ng/ml for 2-15 h), but other K2P channels (hTASK1, hTASK2, hTREK1, and hTRESK) are unaffected. This enhancement by TNFα is not due to alterations in levels of channel expression at the membrane but rather to an alteration in channel gating. The enhancement by TNFα can be blocked by extracellular acidification but persists for mutated TASK3 (H98A) channels that are no longer acid-sensitive even in an acidic extracellular environment. TNFα action on TASK3 channels is mediated through the intracellular C terminus of the channel. Furthermore, it occurs through the ASK1 pathway and is JNK- and p38-dependent. In combination, TNFα activation and TASK3 channel activity can promote cellular apoptosis.

Oxygen and mitochondrial inhibitors modulate both monomeric and heteromeric TASK-1 and TASK-3 channels in mouse carotid body type-1 cells

In rat arterial chemoreceptors, background potassium channels play an important role in maintaining resting membrane potential and promoting depolarization and excitation in response to hypoxia or acidosis. It has been suggested that these channels are a heterodimer of TASK-1 and TASK-3 based on their similarity to heterologously expressed TASK-1/3 fusion proteins. In this study, we sought to confirm the identity of these channels through germline ablation of Task-1 (Kcnk3) and Task-3 (Kcnk9) in mice. Background K-channels were abundant in carotid body type-1 cells from wild-type mice and comparable to those previously described in rat type-1 cells with a main conductance state of 33 pS. This channel was absent from both Task-1(-/-) and Task-3(-/-) cells. In its place we observed a larger (38 pS) K(+)-channel in Task-1(-/-) cells and a smaller (18 pS) K(+)-channel in Task-3(-/-) cells. None of these channels were observed in Task-1(-/-)/Task-3(-/-) double knock-out mice. We therefore conclude that the predominant background K-channel in wild-type mice is a TASK-1/TASK-3 heterodimer, whereas that in Task-1(-/-) mice is TASK-3 and, conversely, that in Task-3(-/-) mice is TASK-1. All three forms of TASK channel in type-1 cells were inhibited by hypoxia, cyanide and the uncoupler FCCP, but the greatest sensitivity was seen in TASK-1 and TASK-1/TASK-3 channels. In summary, the background K-channel in type-1 cells is predominantly a TASK-1/TASK-3 heterodimer. Although both TASK-1 and TASK-3 are able to couple to the oxygen and metabolism sensing pathways present in type-1 cells, channels containing TASK-1 appear to be more sensitive.

Weaker control of the electrical properties of cerebellar granule cells by tonically active GABAA receptors in the Ts65Dn mouse model of Down's syndrome

BACKGROUND

Down's syndrome (DS) is caused by triplication of all or part of human chromosome 21 and is characterized by a decrease in the overall size of the brain. One of the brain regions most affected is the cerebellum, in which the number of granule cells (GCs) is markedly decreased. GCs process sensory information entering the cerebellum via mossy fibres and pass it on to Purkinje cells and inhibitory interneurons. How GCs transform incoming signals depends on their input-output relationship, which is adjusted by tonically active GABA(A) receptor channels.

RESULTS

We report that in the Ts65Dn mouse model of DS, in which cerebellar volume and GC number are decreased as in DS, the tonic GABA(A) receptor current in GCs is smaller than in wild-type mice and is less effective in moderating input resistance and raising the minimum current required for action potential firing. We also find that tonically active GABA(A) receptors curb the height and broaden the width of action potentials in wild-type GCs but not in Ts65Dn GCs. Single-cell real-time quantitative PCR reveals that these electrical differences are accompanied by decreased expression of the gene encoding the GABA(A) receptor β3 subunit but not genes coding for some of the other GABA(A) receptor subunits expressed in GCs (α1, α6, β2 and δ).

CONCLUSIONS

Weaker moderation of excitability and action potential waveform in GCs of the Ts65Dn mouse by tonically active GABA(A) receptors is likely to contribute to atypical transfer of information through the cerebellum. Similar changes may occur in DS.

Modulation of TRESK background K+ channel by membrane stretch

The two-pore domain K⁺ channel TRESK is expressed in dorsal root ganglion and trigeminal sensory neurons where it is a major contributor to background K⁺ current. TRESK acts as a break to prevent excessive sensory neuron activation and decreases in its expression or function have been involved in neuronal hyperexcitability after injury/inflammation, migraine or altered sensory perception (tingling, cooling and pungent burning sensations). All these effects have implicated this channel in nociception and mechanotransduction. To determine the role of TRESK in sensory transduction, we studied its sensitivity to changes in membrane tension (stretch) in heterologous systems, F-11 cells and trigeminal neurons. Laminar shear stress increased TRESK currents by 22–30%. An increase in membrane tension induced by cell swelling (hypotonic medium) produced a reversible elevation of TRESK currents (39.9%). In contrast, cell shrinkage (hypertonic solution) produced the opposite effect. Membrane crenators or cup-formers produced equivalent effects. In trigeminal sensory neurons, TRESK channels were mechanically stimulated by negative pressure, which led to a 1.51-fold increase in channel open probability. TRESK-like currents in trigeminal neurons were additively inhibited by arachidonic acid, acidic pH and hypertonic stimulation, conditions usually found after tissue inflammation. Our results show that TRESK is modulated by changes in cell membrane tension and/or cell volume. Several key players released during inflammation or tissue injury could modulate sensory neuron activation through small changes in membrane tension.