Acta Neuropharmacologica››2012,Vol. 2››Issue (1): 10-19.

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Involvement of Large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+Channels in the Synaptic Transmission in the Lateral Amygdala

GUO Yan-yan, QI Feng-yan, ZHAO Ming-gao

  1. Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
  • Online:2012-02-26Published:2013-05-06
  • Contact:招明高,男,教授,博士生导师;研究方向:神经精神药理学;Tel:+86-29-84774552, E-mail:minggao@fmmu.edu.cn
  • About author:郭艳艳,女,硕士;研究方向:焦虑症的神经机制
  • Supported by:

    国家自然科学基金项目(No.31070923, No.31271144)

Abstract:Objective:Large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+(BKCa) channels are highly expressed in the lateral amygdala (LA), which is involved in stress disorders, but the role of these BKCain the neuronal circuits are poorly understood. In the previous study, we found a significant reduction in BKCachannel expression in the amygdala of mice undergoing acute stress, which was accompanied by anxiety-like behaviors. In this study, we focused on the role of BKCachannels in the synaptic transmission and plasticity in the lateral amygdala.Methods: Behavioral tests, western-blot analysis and electrophysiological recordings were performed.Results: First, we found the co-distribution of BKCachannels immunoreactively with glutamatergic neuronal marker CaMKIIα or interneuron marker GAD-65 in the LA. In addition, both NR2A and NR2B were co-localized with the BKCachannels and formed a heteroreceptor complex in the soma and dendrites of the amygdala neurons. Furthermore, block of the BKCachannels notably facilitated long-term potentiation (LTP) induction at the thalamo-LA synapse.Conclusion: BKCachannels play critical roles in the synaptic plasticity in the LA.

Key words:large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+channels,synaptic plasticity,amygdala

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