Overexpression of a hyperpolarization-activated cation current (Ih) channel gene modifies the firing activity of identified motor neurons in a small neural network.

ABSTRACT: The hyperpolarization-activated cation current (Ih) is widely distributed in excitable cells. Ih plays important roles in regulation of cellular excitability, rhythmic activity, and synaptic function. We previously showed that, in pyloric dilator (PD) neurons of the stomatogastric ganglion (STG) of spiny lobsters, Ih can be endogenously upregulated to compensate for artificial overexpression of the Shal transient potassium channel; this maintains normal firing properties of the neuron despite large increases in potassium current. To further explore the function of Ih in the pyloric network, we injected cRNA of PAIH, a lobster gene that encodes Ih, into rhythmically active PD neurons. Overexpression of PAIH produced a fourfold increase in Ih, although with somewhat different biophysical pro

SUBMITTER: Zhang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6740833 | biostudies-literature | 2003 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature