Differential expression of the small-conductance, calcium-activated potassium channel SK3 is critical for pacemaker control in dopaminergic midbrain neurons.

ABSTRACT: The physiological activity of dopaminergic midbrain (DA) neurons is important for movement, cognition, and reward. Altered activity of DA neurons is a key finding in schizophrenia, but the cellular mechanisms have not been identified. Recently, KCNN3, a gene that encodes a member (SK3) of the small-conductance, calcium-activated potassium (SK) channels, has been proposed as a candidate gene for schizophrenia. However, the functional role of SK3 channels in DA neurons is unclear. We combined patch-clamp recordings with single-cell RT-PCR and confocal immunohistochemistry in mouse midbrain slices to study the function of molecularly defined SK channels in DA neurons. Biophysical and pharmacological analysis, single-cell mRNA, and protein expression profiling strongly suggest that SK3 channel

SUBMITTER: Wolfart J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6762487 | biostudies-literature | 2001 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature