RGD Reference Report - Focal aggregation of voltage-gated, Kv2.1 subunit-containing, potassium channels at synaptic sites in rat spinal motoneurones. - Rat Genome Database

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Focal aggregation of voltage-gated, Kv2.1 subunit-containing, potassium channels at synaptic sites in rat spinal motoneurones.

Authors: Muennich, EA  Fyffe, RE 
Citation: Muennich EA and Fyffe RE, J Physiol. 2004 Feb 1;554(Pt 3):673-85. Epub 2003 Nov 7.
RGD ID: 2303543
Pubmed: PMID:14608003   (View Abstract at PubMed)
PMCID: PMC1664801   (View Article at PubMed Central)
DOI: DOI:10.1113/jphysiol.2003.056192   (Journal Full-text)

Delayed rectifier K+ currents are involved in the control of alpha-motoneurone excitability, but the precise spatial distribution and organization of the membrane ion channels that contribute to these currents have not been defined. Voltage-activated Kv2.1 channels have properties commensurate with a contribution to delayed rectifier currents and are expressed in neurones throughout the mammalian central nervous system. A specific antibody against Kv2.1 channel subunits was used to determine the surface distribution and clustering of Kv2.1 subunit-containing channels in the cell membrane of alpha-motoneurones and other spinal cord neurones. In alpha-motoneurones, Kv2.1 immunoreactivity (-IR) was abundant in the surface membrane of the soma and large proximal dendrites, and was present also in smaller diameter distal dendrites. Plasma membrane-associated Kv2.1-IR in alpha-motoneurones was distributed in a mosaic of small irregularly shaped, and large disc-like, clusters. However, only small to medium clusters of Kv2.1-IR were observed in spinal interneurones and projection neurones, and some interneurones, including Renshaw cells, lacked demonstrable Kv2.1-IR. In alpha-motoneurones, dual immunostaining procedures revealed that the prominent disc-like domains of Kv2.1-IR are invariably apposed to presynaptic cholinergic C-terminals. Further, Kv2.1-IR colocalizes with immunoreactivity against postsynaptic muscarinic (m2) receptors at these locations. Ultrastructural examination confirmed the postsynaptic localization of Kv2.1-IR at C-terminal synapses, and revealed clusters of Kv2.1-IR at a majority of S-type, presumed excitatory, synapses. Kv2.1-IR in alpha-motoneurones is not directly associated with presumed inhibitory (F-type) synapses, nor is it present in presynaptic structures apposed to the motoneurone. Occasionally, small patches of extrasynaptic Kv2.1-IR labelling were observed in surface membrane apposed by glial processes. Voltage-gated potassium channels responsible for the delayed rectifier current, including Kv2.1, are usually assigned roles in the repolarization of the action potential. However, the strategic localization of Kv2.1 subunit-containing channels at specific postsynaptic sites suggests that this family of voltage-activated K+ channels may have additional roles and/or regulatory components.

Gene Ontology Annotations    Click to see Annotation Detail View

Cellular Component
TermQualifierEvidenceWithReferenceNotesSourceOriginal Reference(s)
cholinergic synapse is_active_inIDA 2303543PMID:14608003SynGO 
dendrite membrane  IDA 2303543spinal motor neuronsRGD 
neuronal cell body membrane  IDA 2303543spinal motor neuronsRGD 
postsynaptic membrane  IDA 2303543spinal motor neuronsRGD 
postsynaptic specialization membrane is_active_inIDA 2303543PMID:14608003SynGO 

Objects Annotated

Genes (Rattus norvegicus)
Kcnb1  (potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily B member 1)


Additional Information