Correlations in ion channel mRNA in rhythmically active neurons.

ABSTRACT:

Background

To what extent do identified neurons from different animals vary in their expression of ion channel genes? In neurons of the same type, is ion channel expression highly variable and/or is there any relationship between ion channel expression that is conserved?

Methodology/principal findings

To address these questions we measured ion channel mRNA in large cells (LCs) of the crab cardiac ganglion. We cloned a calcium channel, caco, and a potassium channel, shaker. Using single-cell quantitative PCR, we measured levels of mRNA for these and 6 other different ion channels in cardiac ganglion LCs. Across the population of LCs we measured 3-9 fold ranges of mRNA levels, and we found correlations in the expression of many pairs of conductances

Conclusions/significance

SUBMITTER: Tobin AE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2727049 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature