Gating properties of single SK channels in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons

Birgit Hirschberg, James Maylie, John P. Adelman, Neil V. Marrion

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

56 Scopus citations

Abstract

The activation of small-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels (SK) has a profound effect on membrane excitability. In hippocampal pyramidal neurons, SK channel activation by Ca2+ entry from a preceding burst of action potentials generates the slow afterhyperpolarization (AHP). Stimulation of a number of receptor types suppresses the slow AHP, inhibiting spike frequency adaptation and causing these neurons to fire tonically. Little is known of the gating properties of native SK channels in CNS neurons. By using excised inside-out patches, a small-amplitude channel has been resolved that was half-activated by ~0.6 μM Ca2+ in a voltage- independent manner. The channel possessed a slope conductance of 10 pS and exhibited nonstationary gating. These properties are in accord with those of cloned SK channels. The measured Ca2+ sensitivity of hippocampal SK channels suggests that the slow AHP is generated by activation of SK channels from a local rise of intracellular Ca2+.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1905-1913
Number of pages9
JournalBiophysical Journal
Volume77
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1999

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biophysics

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Gating properties of single SK channels in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this