Gradients and Modulation of K+ Channels Optimize Temporal Accuracy in Networks of Auditory Neurons

@article{Kaczmarek2012GradientsAM,
 title={Gradients and Modulation of K+ Channels Optimize Temporal Accuracy in Networks of Auditory Neurons},
 author={Leonard K. Kaczmarek},
 journal={PLoS Computational Biology},
 year={2012},
 volume={8},
 url={https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:2557484}
}
  • L. Kaczmarek
  • Published in PLoS Comput. Biol. 1 March 2012
  • Biology, Physics
  • PLoS Computational Biology
It is suggested that gradients of channel expression are required for normal auditory processing and that changes in levels of potassium currents across the nuclei, by mechanisms such as protein phosphorylation and rapid changes in channel synthesis, adapt theuclei to the ongoing auditory environment.

12 Citations

Modulation of Neuronal Potassium Channels During Auditory Processing
How insights into the role of specific channels have come from human gene mutations that impair localization of sounds in space is described and how short-term and long-term modulation of these channels maximizes the extraction of auditory information is reviewed.

Tuning Neuronal Potassium Channels to the Auditory Environment
The expression of Kv3 family voltage-dependent potassium channels, which allow neurons to fire many hundreds of times per second, may maximize the accuracy of information transfer through brainstem nuclei in different auditory environments, and may contribute to the learning of auditory discrimination tasks.

Physiological modulators of Kv3.1 channels adjust firing patterns of auditory brain stem neurons.
The results suggest that pharmaceutical modulation of Kv3.1 currents represents a novel avenue for manipulation of neuronal excitability and has the potential for therapeutic benefit in the treatment of hearing disorders.

Modulation of potassium conductances optimizes fidelity of auditory information
Using the auditory system as a model sensory system, this work shows that a rapid change in levels and characteristics of potassium current in response to an incoming stimulus allows a neuron to transmit the maximal amount of information as the intensity of the stimulus is increased.

Kv3 Channels: Enablers of Rapid Firing, Neurotransmitter Release, and Neuronal Endurance.
How the protein-protein interaction of these channels with other proteins affects neuronal functions, and how mutations or abnormal regulation of Kv3 channels are associated with neurological disorders such as ataxias, epilepsies, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer's disease are covered.

Cellular correlates of sensory processing in the mammalian audio-vestibular brainstem
The cellular properties of the superior paraolivary nucleus (SPON) neurons in normal and congenitally deaf mice are investigated, showing normal capacity for well-timed rebound spiking and the idea that there are specialized brain circuits that encode the slow temporal rhythm contained in natural sounds, such as speech.

A sodium-activated potassium channel supports high-frequency firing and reduces energetic costs during rapid modulations of action potential amplitude.
The possibility that E. virescens reduces the energetic demands of high-frequency APs through rapidly recovering Na(+) channels and the novel use of KNa channels to maximize AP amplitude at a given Na(+, conductance is suggested.

A Sodium-activated Potassium Channel Supports High Frequency 2 Firing and Reduces Energetic Costs during Rapid Modulations of 3 Action Potential Amplitude 4 5
The possibility that E. virescens reduces the energetic demands of high-frequency APs through rapidly recovering Na channels and the novel use of KNa channels to maximize AP amplitude at a given Na conductance is suggested.

An Epilepsy-Associated KCNT1 Mutation Enhances Excitability of Human iPSC-Derived Neurons by Increasing Slack KNa Currents
This study is the first demonstration that a KCNT1 mutation increases the Slack current in neurons, and provides the first explanation for how this increased potassium current induces hyperexcitability, which could be the underlining factor causing seizures.

66 References

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Tonotopic Gradients of Membrane and Synaptic Properties for Neurons of the Chicken Nucleus Magnocellularis
Nucleus magnocellularis (NM) is a division of the avian cochlear nucleus that extracts the timing of auditory signals. We compared the membrane excitability and synaptic transmission along the...

Modulation of the Kv3.1b Potassium Channel Isoform Adjusts the Fidelity of the Firing Pattern of Auditory Neurons
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Subthreshold outward currents enhance temporal integration in auditory neurons
Recordings from gerbil medial superior olivary neurons in vitro and modeling results are presented that illustrate how IKLT improves the detection of brief signals, of weak signals in noise, and of the coincidence of signals (as needed for sound localization).
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