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J Neurophysiol (July 5, 2007). doi:10.1152/jn.00564.2007
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Submitted on May 21, 2007
Accepted on July 2, 2007

Muscarinic receptors control frequency tuning through the downregulation of an A-type potassium current

Lee D. Ellis1, Rudiger Krahe2, Charles William Bourque3, Robert J Dunn4, and Maurice J. Chacron5*

1 Center for Neuroscience Research, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
2 Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
3 Montreal Gen Hosp, United States; Center for Neuroscience Research, McGill University, Montreal, Canada; Montreal Gen Hosp
4 Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
5 Physiology and Physics, center for nonlinear dynamics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada; Physiology, McGill University, 3655 Promenade Sir William Osler, Montreal, H3G 1Y6, Canada

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: maurice.chacron{at}mcgill.ca.

The functional role of cholinergic input in the modulation of sensory responses was studied using a combination of in vivo and in vitro electrophysiology supplemented by mathematical modeling. The electrosensory system of weakly electric fish recognizes different environmental stimuli by their unique alteration of a self-generated electric field. Variations in the patterns of stimuli are primarily distinguished based their frequency. Pyramidal neurons in the electrosensory lateral line lobe (ELL) are often tuned to respond to specific input frequencies. Alterations in the tuning of the pyramidal neurons may allow weakly electric fish to preferentially select for certain stimuli. Here we show that muscarinic receptor activation in vivo enhances the excitability, burst firing, and subsequently the response of pyramidal cells to naturalistic sensory input. Through a combination of in vitro electrophysiology and mathematical modeling, we reveal that this enhanced excitability and bursting likely results from the down-regulation of an A-type potassium current. Further, we provide an explanation of the mechanism by which these currents can mediate frequency tuning.




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