Manipulation of BK channel expression is sufficient to alter auditory hair cell thresholds in larval zebrafish.

ABSTRACT: Non-mammalian vertebrates rely on electrical resonance for frequency tuning in auditory hair cells. A key component of the resonance exhibited by these cells is an outward calcium-activated potassium current that flows through large-conductance calcium-activated potassium (BK) channels. Previous work in midshipman fish (Porichthys notatus) has shown that BK expression correlates with seasonal changes in hearing sensitivity and that pharmacologically blocking these channels replicates the natural decreases in sensitivity during the winter non-reproductive season. To test the hypothesis that reducing BK channel function is sufficient to change auditory thresholds in fish, morpholino oligonucleotides (MOs) were used in larval zebrafish (Danio rerio) to alter expression of slo1a and slo1b, dup

SUBMITTER: Rohmann KN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4103636 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature