Calcineurin Dysregulation Underlies Spinal Cord Injury-Induced K⁺ Channel Dysfunction in DRG Neurons.

ABSTRACT: Dysfunction of the fast-inactivating Kv3.4 potassium current in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons contributes to the hyperexcitability associated with persistent pain induced by spinal cord injury (SCI). However, the underlying mechanism is not known. In light of our previous work demonstrating modulation of the Kv3.4 channel by phosphorylation, we investigated the role of the phosphatase calcineurin (CaN) using electrophysiological, molecular, and imaging approaches in adult female Sprague Dawley rats. Pharmacological inhibition of CaN in small-diameter DRG neurons slowed repolarization of the somatic action potential (AP) and attenuated the Kv3.4 current. Attenuated Kv3.4 currents also exhibited slowed inactivation. We observed similar effects on the recombinant Kv3.4 channel heterologo

SUBMITTER: Zemel BM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5566871 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature