Characterization of Voltage-Gated K+ Currents Contributing to Subthreshold Membrane Potential Oscillations in Hippocampal CA1 Interneurons

2010 ◽  
Vol 103 (6) ◽  
pp. 3472-3489 ◽  
Author(s):  
France Morin ◽  
Darrell Haufler ◽  
Frances K. Skinner ◽  
Jean-Claude Lacaille

CA1 inhibitory interneurons at the stratum lacunosum-moleculare and radiatum junction (LM/RAD-INs) display subthreshold membrane potential oscillations (MPOs) involving voltage-dependent Na+ and A-type K+ currents. LM/RAD-INs also express other voltage-gated K+ currents, although their properties and role in MPOs remain unclear. Here, we characterized these voltage-gated K+ currents and investigated their role in MPOs. Using outside-out patch recordings from LM/RAD-IN somata, we distinguished four voltage-gated K+ currents based on their pharmacology and activation/inactivation properties: a fast delayed rectifier current ( IKfast), a slow delayed rectifier current ( IKslow), a rapidly inactivating A-type current ( IA), and a slowly inactivating current ( ID). Their relative contribution to the total K+ current was IA > IKfast > IKslow = ID. The presence of ID and the relative contributions of K+ currents in LM/RAD-INs are different from those of other CA1 interneurons, suggesting the presence of differential complement of K+ currents in subgroups of interneurons. We next determined whether these K+ currents were sufficient for MPO generation using a single-compartment model of LM/RAD-INs. The model captured the subthreshold voltage dependence of MPOs. Moreover, all K+ currents were active at subthreshold potentials but ID, IA, and the persistent sodium current ( INaP) were most active near threshold. Using impedance analysis, we found that IA and INaP contribute to MPO generation by modulating peak spectral frequency during MPOs and governing the voltage range over which MPOs occur. Our findings uncover a differential expression of a complement of K+ channels that underlies intrinsic rhythmic activity in inhibitory interneurons.

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Olteanu ◽  
Forough Habibollahi ◽  
Chris French

Gamma and theta oscillations have been functionally associated with cognitive processes, such as learning and memory. Synaptic conductances play an important role in the generation of intrinsic network rhythmicity, but few studies have examined the effects of voltage-gated ion channels (VGICs) on these rhythms. In this report, we have used a pyramidal-interneuron-gamma (PING) network consisting of excitatory pyramidal cells and two types of inhibitory interneurons. We have constructed a conductance-based neural network incorporating a persistent sodium current (INaP), a delayed rectifier potassium current (IKDR), a inactivating potassium current (IA) and a hyperpolarization-activated current (IH). We have investigated the effects of several conductances on network theta and gamma frequency oscillations. Variation of all conductances of interest changed network rhythmicity. Theta power was altered by all conductances tested. Gamma rhythmogenesis was dependent on IA and IH. The IKDR currents in excitatory pyramidal cells as well as both types of inhibitory interneurons were essential for theta rhythmogenesis and altered gamma rhythm properties. Increasing INaP suppressed both gamma and theta rhythms. Addition of noise did not alter these patterns. Our findings suggest that VGICs strongly affect brain network rhythms. Further investigations in vivo will be of great interest, including potential effects on neural function and cognition.


1997 ◽  
Vol 63 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 221-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marko Marhl ◽  
Stefan Schuster ◽  
Milan Brumen ◽  
Reinhart Heinrich

1993 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 144-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Klink ◽  
A. Alonso

1. Layer II of the medial entorhinal cortex is composed of two electrophysiologically and morphologically distinct types of projection neurons: stellate cells (SCs), which are distinguished by rhythmic subthreshold oscillatory activity, and non-SCs. The ionic mechanisms underlying their differential electroresponsiveness, particularly in the subthreshold range of membrane potentials, were investigated in an "in vitro" slice preparation. 2. In both SCs and non-SCs, the apparent membrane input resistance was markedly voltage dependent, respectively decreasing or increasing at hyperpolarized or subthreshold depolarized potential levels. Thus the neurons displayed inward rectification in the hyperpolarizing and depolarizing range. 3. In the depolarizing range, inward rectification was blocked by tetrodotoxin (TTX, 1 microM) in both types of neurons and thus shown to depend on the presence of a persistent low-threshold Na+ conductance (gNap). However, in the presence of TTX, pronounced outward rectification became manifest in the subthreshold depolarizing range of membrane potentials (positive to -60 mV) in the SCs but not in the non-SCs. 4. The rhythmic subthreshold membrane potential oscillations that were present only in the SCs were abolished by TTX and not by Ca2+ conductance block with Cd2+ or Co2+. Subthreshold oscillations thus rely on the activation of voltage-gated Na+, and not Ca2+, conductances. The Ca2+ conductance block also had no effect on the subthreshold outward rectification. 5. Prominent time-dependent inward rectification in the hyperpolarizing range in the SCs persisted after Na(+)- and Ca2+ conductance block. This rectification was not affected by Ba2+ (1 mM), but was blocked by Cs+ (1-4 mM). Therefore, it is most probably generated by a hyperpolarization-activated cationic current (Q-like current). However, the Q-like current appears to play no major role in the generation of subthreshold rhythmic membrane potential oscillations, because these persisted in the presence of Cs+. 6. On the other hand, in the SCs, the fast, sustained, outward rectification that strongly developed (after Na+ conductance block) at the oscillatory voltage level was not affected by Cs+ but was blocked by Ba2+ (1 mM). Barium was also effective in blocking the subthreshold membrane potential oscillations. 7. In the non-SCs, which do not generate subthreshold rhythmic membrane potential oscillations or manifest subthreshold outward rectification in TTX, Ca2+ conductance block abolished spike repolarization and caused the development of long-lasting Na(+)-dependent plateau potentials at a high suprathreshold voltage level. At this level, where prominent delayed rectification is present, the Na+ plateaus sustained rhythmic membrane potential oscillations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)


1999 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
pp. 1296-1307 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Andrew Chapman ◽  
Jean-Claude Lacaille

Intrinsic theta-frequency membrane potential oscillations in hippocampal CA1 interneurons of stratum lacunosum-moleculare. The ionic conductances underlying membrane potential oscillations of hippocampal CA1 interneurons located near the border between stratum lacunosum-moleculare and stratum radiatum (LM) were investigated using whole cell current-clamp recordings in rat hippocampal slices. At 22°C, when LM cells were depolarized near spike threshold by current injection, 91% of cells displayed 2–5 Hz oscillations in membrane potential, which caused rhythmic firing. At 32°C, mean oscillation frequency increased to 7.1 Hz. Oscillations were voltage dependent and were eliminated by hyperpolarizing cells 6–10 mV below spike threshold. Blockade of ionotropic glutamate and GABA synaptic transmission did not affect oscillations, indicating that they were not synaptically driven. Oscillations were eliminated by tetrodotoxin, suggesting that Na+ currents generate the depolarizing phase of oscillations. Oscillations were not affected by blocking Ca2+ currents with Cd2+ or Ca2+-free ACSF or by blocking the hyperpolarization-activated current ( I h) with Cs+. Both Ba2+ and a low concentration of 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) reduced oscillations but TEA did not. Theta-frequency oscillations were much less common in interneurons located in stratum oriens. Intrinsic membrane potential oscillations in LM cells of the CA1 region thus involve an interplay between inward Na+ currents and outward K+ currents sensitive to Ba2+ and 4-AP. These oscillations may participate in rhythmic inhibition and synchronization of pyramidal neurons during theta activity in vivo.


1999 ◽  
Vol 276 (3) ◽  
pp. H1064-H1077 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Etienne Verheijck ◽  
Antoni C. G. van Ginneken ◽  
Ronald Wilders ◽  
Lennart N. Bouman

The role of L-type calcium current ( I Ca,L) in impulse generation was studied in single sinoatrial nodal myocytes of the rabbit, with the use of the amphotericin-perforated patch-clamp technique. Nifedipine, at a concentration of 5 μM, was used to block I Ca,L. At this concentration, nifedipine selectively blocked I Ca,L for 81% without affecting the T-type calcium current ( I Ca,T), the fast sodium current, the delayed rectifier current ( I K), and the hyperpolarization-activated inward current. Furthermore, we did not observe the sustained inward current. The selective action of nifedipine on I Ca,L enabled us to determine the activation threshold of I Ca,L, which was around −60 mV. As nifedipine (5 μM) abolished spontaneous activity, we used a combined voltage- and current-clamp protocol to study the effects of I Ca,L blockade on repolarization and diastolic depolarization. This protocol mimics the action potential such that the repolarization and subsequent diastolic depolarization are studied in current-clamp conditions. Nifedipine significantly decreased action potential duration at 50% repolarization and reduced diastolic depolarization rate over the entire diastole. Evidence was found that recovery from inactivation of I Ca,L occurs during repolarization, which makes I Ca,L available already early in diastole. We conclude that I Ca,L contributes significantly to the net inward current during diastole and can modulate the entire diastolic depolarization.


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