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High-Threshold, Kv3-Like Potassium Currents in Magnocellular Neurosecretory Neurons and Their Role in Spike Repolarization

Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Medical School, Memphis, Tennessee 38163

Submitted 27 April 2004; accepted in final form 2 July 2004

We identified Kv3-like high-threshold K⁺ currents in hypothalamic supraoptic neurons using whole cell recordings in hypothalamic slices and in acutely dissociated neurons. Tetraethylammonium (TEA)-sensitive currents (<1 mM TEA) evoked from –50 mV were characterized by a large component that inactivated in 10–30 ms, and a smaller, persistent component that inactivated in 1–2 s. I/V relations in dissociated neurons revealed TEA-subtracted currents with a slope and voltage dependency consistent with the presence of Kv3-like channels. In slices, tests with 0.01–0.7 mM TEA produced an IC₅₀ of 200–300 nM for both fast and persistent currents. The fast transient current was similar to currents associated with the expression of Kv3.4 subunits, given that it was sensitive to BDS-I (100 nM). The persistent TEA-sensitive current appeared similar to those attributed to Kv3.1/3.2 subunits. Although qualitatively similar, oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (VP) neurons in slices differed in the stronger presence of persistent current in VP neurons. In both cell types, the IC₅₀ for TEA-induced spike broadening was similar to that observed for current suppression in voltage clamp. However, TEA had a greater effect on the spike width of VP neurons than of OT neurons. Immunochemical studies revealed a stronger expression of the Kv3.1b -subunit in VP neurons, which may be related to the greater importance of this current type in VP spike repolarization. Because OT and VP neurons are not considered fast firing, but do exhibit frequency- and calcium-dependent spike broadening, Kv3-like currents may be important for maintaining spike width and calcium influx within acceptable limits during repetitive firing.

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