Research article summary (published 19 Oct 2009):

In vivo role of a potassium channel-binding protein in regulating neuronal excitability and behavior.

Full Abstract

Molecular details of ion channel interactions with modulatory subunits have been investigated widely in transfected cells, but the physiological roles of ion channel modulatory protein complexes in native neurons remain largely unexplored. The Drosophila large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channel (dSlo) binds to and is modulated by its binding partner Slob. We have constructed flies in which Slob expression is manipulated by P-element mutagenesis, or by transgenic expression of Slob protein or Slob-RNAi. In vivo recordings of both macroscopic and single dSlo channel currents in identified neurosecretory neurons in the pars intercerebralis (PI) region of the Drosophila brain reveal that whole-cell potassium current and properties of single dSlo channels are modulated by Slob expression level. Furthermore, Slob genotype influences action potential duration in vivo. This unprecedented combination of current-clamp, macroscopic-current, and single-channel recordings from neurons in brains of living flies defines a critical role for an ion channel modulatory protein complex in the control of neuronal excitability. We show further that Slob-null flies exhibit significantly longer lifespan than controls under conditions of complete food deprivation. Crosses with deficiency lines demonstrate that this enhanced resistance to starvation-induced death maps close to the slob locus. Together, these results indicate that Slob may serve a novel regulatory function in feeding behavior, possibly by influencing the excitability of the PI neurons.

Author information

Author/s: Shahidullah, Mohammad (M); Reddy, Smitha (S); Fei, Hong (H); Levitan, Irwin B (IB);

Affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

Journal: The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience (J Neurosci), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Oct; vol 29 (issue 42) : pp 13328-37

Dates: Created 2009/10/22; Completed 2009/11/06;

PMID: 19846720, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Animals Animals, Genetically Modified Behavior, Animal - physiology Biophysical Processes - drug effects; physiology Cerebellum - cytology; metabolism Drosophila Drosophila Proteins - deficiency; genetics; physiology Electric Conductivity Electric Stimulation - methods Feeding Behavior - physiology Food Deprivation - physiology Gene Expression Regulation - genetics

Gene Expression Regulation - genetics Green Fluorescent Proteins - genetics Ion Channel Gating - drug effects Membrane Potentials - drug effects; genetics Mutagenesis Neurons - physiology Patch-Clamp Techniques - methods Potassium Channel Blockers - pharmacology Potassium Channels - deficiency; genetics; physiology RNA, Small Interfering - genetics Starvation - genetics Tetraethylammonium - pharmacology

Associated Chemicals: Drosophila Proteins (0) ; Potassium Channel Blockers (0) ; Potassium Channels (0) ; RNA, Small Interfering (0) ; Slob protein, Drosophila (0) ; Green Fluorescent Proteins (147336-22-9) ; Tetraethylammonium (66-40-0)

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