Molecular mechanisms of dendritic K channel function

描述（由申请人提供）：由于能够直接测量来自神经元树突的电信号，在过去的十年里，我们对树突的活性特性有了很多了解。最引人注目的发现是，在soma启动的动作电位（b-APs）也积极地传播回树突，逆转了传统的信息流方向。新出现的证据表明，b-APs通过提供足够大的膜去极化来解除突触中NMDA受体的阻断，参与了NMDA受体依赖的可塑性。因此，决定b-AP反向传播、b-AP振幅和持续时间的因素可能对这一信号通路产生重要影响。CA1锥体神经元的快速激活动力学、近阈值激活曲线和树突高电流密度使a型K+通道成为b-AP的理想决定因素。然而，由于a型K+通道本身受到各种蛋白激酶、神经递质和调节剂的调节，这种调节可能会进一步复杂化，这大大扩展了该系统的计算能力。因此，a型K+通道是海马可塑性的关键调控成分。尽管相当多的证据表明Kv4.2是树突a型K+电流的主要亚基，但这一假设从未得到直接验证。我们想知道是什么机制调控和建立了a型K+通道分布的独特树突梯度。我们最近的工作表明，CaMKII活性参与调节体细胞中kv4.2介导电流的表面表达。这些结果形成了我们希望测试的有趣假设：树突a型K+通道有助于突触可塑性，神经元活动有助于建立和维持该通道的树突分布特征。结合两种独特的技术（在小鼠制备中树突记录和使用一种突变形式的sindbis病毒，可以在最小的神经元毒性的情况下快速在体内传递基因），上述研究应该允许我们定义a型K+通道介导的信号传播和树突中神经元可塑性的分子机制。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): With the ability to directly measure electrical signals from the neuronal dendrites, we have learned a great deal about the active properties of the dendrites over the past ten years. The most remarkable finding is that action potentials (b-APs) initiated at soma also actively propagate back into dendrites, reversing the conventional direction of information flow. Emerging evidence suggests that b-APs are involved in NMDA-receptor dependent plasticity by providing a large enough membrane depolarization to unblock NMDA receptors in synapses. Thus, factors determining b-AP back-propagation, b-AP amplitude and duration are likely to have an important impact on this signaling pathway. The fast activation kinetics, near-threshold activation profile, and a high current density in dendrites of CA1 pyramidal neurons have made A-type K+ channels the ideal determining factor of b-AP. The regulation, however, can be further complicated as A-type K+ channels themselves are subject to modulation by various protein kinases, neurotransmitters, and modulators, greatly extending the computational power of this system. Thus, A-type K+ channels represent a key regulatory component in hippocampal plasticity. Although quite some evidence suggests Kv4.2 is the major subunits underlying dendritic A-type K+ currents, this hypothesis has never been directly tested. We would like to know what mechanisms underlie the regulation and establishment of the unique dendritic gradient of A-type K+ channel distribution. Our recent work suggests the involvement of CaMKII activity in regulating surface expression of Kv4.2-mediated currents in the soma. These results formulate the intriguing hypotheses we wish to test: dendritic A-type K+ channels contribute to synaptic plasticity and neuronal activity helps to establish and maintain the characteristic dendritic distribution of this channel. Combining two unique techniques (dendritic recordings in mouse preparation and the use of a mutant form of sindbis virus that allows quick gene delivery in vivo with minimized neuronal toxicity), the studies proposed above should allow us to define the molecular mechanisms of A-type K+ channel mediated signal propagation and neuronal plasticity in dendrites.