The mechanism of Ca²⁺-independent activation of BKCa channels in mouse inner hair cells and the crucial role of the BK channels in auditory perception.

ABSTRACT: BK channels are expressed in mouse cochlear inner hair cells (IHCs) and exhibit Ca²⁺-independent activation at negative potentials. However, the mechanism underlying Ca²⁺-independent activation of the BK channels in mouse IHCs remains unknown. In this study, we found the BK channel expressed in IHCs contains both the stress-axis regulated exon 2 variant and an alternative splice of exon9 (alt9), which significantly shift the voltage dependence of the BK channels when coexpressed with LRRC52 in 0 [Ca²⁺]_i. Furthermore, we discovered that mechanical force also induces negative shifts in the voltage dependence of IHC-expressed BK channels. Thus, we propose that the additive effects of mechanical force, special isoforms, and LRRC52 coexpression on vol

SUBMITTER: Shen ZS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11758846 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature