Localization and developmental expression of BK channels in mammalian cochlear hair cells.

A. Hafidi, M. Beurg, D. Dulon
Neuroscience. 2005-01-01; 130(2): 475-484
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2004.09.038

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1. Neuroscience. 2005;130(2):475-84.

Localization and developmental expression of BK channels in mammalian cochlear
hair cells.

Hafidi A(1), Beurg M, Dulon D.

Author information:
(1)Laboratoire de Biologie Cellulaire et Moléculaire de l’Audition, EA 3665,
Université de Bordeaux 2, Laboratoire de Biologie Cellulaire et Moléculaire de
l’Audition, CHU Hôpital Pellegrin, 33076 Bordeaux, France.

The expression of Slo channels (alpha subunits of BK channels) was investigated
in the developing mouse cochlea using a polyclonal antibody against the
C-terminal part of the protein (residues 1098-1196). The first BK channel
immunoreactivity was observed in the cochlea at E18, where it was localized
within the cytoplasm of cells lining the area of the organ of Corti and the
spiral ganglion. There was an increase of immunoreactivity in all cells bordering
the scala media (supporting and hair cells of the organ of Corti, the stria
vascularis and the Reissner’s membrane) in the following stages (postnatal day
[P] 0 and P6). From P12 to adult, a strong membranous labeling, increasing with
age, appeared in inner hair cells. The distribution of BK channels was mainly
observed as dense elongated plaques localized in the lateral membrane below the
cuticular plate. In addition, a more discrete immunolabeling for BK channels, as
punctuated dots, was observed in the synaptic area of inner hair cells. This dual
localization of BK channels within inner hair cells was confirmed by a different
technique using a fluorescently labeled high-affinity ligand of these channels:
IbTX-D19C-Alexa488. We demonstrated under patch clamp experiments that this
fluorescent toxin conserved its native property, i.e. to reversibly inhibit BK
currents in isolated inner hair cells. The fluorescent toxin, both in living or
fixed tissues, also showed a preferential binding to mature inner hair cells with
a similar subcellular distribution described above using immunocytochemical
technique. Overall, our present results confirm the appearance of membranous BK
channels around P12 in mouse inner hair cells, an age at which the auditory
system becomes functional. The expression of BK channels in mature inner hair
cells, near the site of mechanical-transduction, might serve to limit receptor
potential attenuation due to the space constant, and thus permitting these
sensory cells to function as fast and sensitive transducers.

DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2004.09.038
PMID: 15664704 [Indexed for MEDLINE]

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