Expression of the mRNA for the beta 2 subunit of the voltage-dependent sodium channel in rat CNS

Gene expression profile of sodium channel subunits in the anterior cingulate cortex during experimental paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain in mice

Paclitaxel, a chemotherapeutic agent, causes neuropathic pain whose supraspinal pathophysiology is not fully understood. Dysregulation of sodium channel expression, studied mainly in the periphery and spinal cord level, contributes to the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain. We examined gene expression of sodium channel (Na_v) subunits by real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) at day 7 post first administration of paclitaxel, when mice had developed paclitaxel-induced thermal hyperalgesia. The ACC was chosen because increased activity in the ACC has been observed during neuropathic pain. In the ACC of vehicle-treated animals the threshold cycle (Ct) values for Na_v1.4, Na_v1.5, Na_v1.7, Na_v1.8 and Na_v1.9 were above 30 and/or not detectable in some samples. Thus, comparison in mRNA expression between untreated control, vehicle-treated and paclitaxel treated animals was done for Na_v1.1, Na_v1.2, Na_v1.3, Na_v1.6, Na_x as well as Na_vβ1–Na_vβ4. There were no differences in the transcript levels of Na_v1.1–Na_v1.3, Na_v1.6, Na_x, Na_vβ1–Na_vβ3 between untreated and vehicle-treated mice, however, vehicle treatment increased Na_vβ4 expression. Paclitaxel treatment significantly increased the mRNA expression of Na_v1.1, Na_v1.2, Na_v1.6 and Na_x, but not Na_v1.3, sodium channel alpha subunits compared to vehicle-treated animals. Treatment with paclitaxel significantly increased the expression of Na_vβ1 and Na_vβ3, but not Na_vβ2 and Na_vβ4, sodium channel beta subunits compared to vehicle-treated animals. These findings suggest that during paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain (PINP) there is differential upregulation of sodium channels in the ACC, which might contribute to the increased neuronal activity observed in the area during neuropathic pain.

Identification of both GABAA receptors and voltage-activated Na(+) channels as molecular targets of anticonvulsant α-asarone

Alpha (α)-asarone, a major effective component isolated from the Chinese medicinal herb Acorus tatarinowii, is clinically used as medication for treating epilepsy, cough, bronchitis, and asthma. In the present study, we demonstrated that α-asarone targets central nervous system GABAA receptor as well as voltage-gated Na(+) channels. Using whole-cell patch-clamp recording, α-asarone inhibited spontaneous firing of output neurons, mitral cells (MCs), in mouse olfactory bulb brain slice preparation and hyperpolarized the membrane potential of MCs. The inhibitory effect of α-asarone persisted in the presence of ionotropic glutamate receptor blockers but was eliminated after adding a GABAA receptor blocker, suggesting that GABAA receptors mediated the inhibition of MCs by α-asarone. This hypothesis was supported by the finding that α-asarone evoked an outward current, but did not influence inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs). In addition to inhibiting spontaneous firing, α-asarone also inhibited the Nav1.2 channel, a dominant rat brain Na(+) channel subtype. The effects of α-asarone on a defined Nav1.2 were characterized using transfected cells that stably expressed the Nav1.2 channel isoform. α-Asarone displayed strong tonic inhibition of Nav1.2 currents in a concentration- and membrane potential-dependent fashion. α-Asarone reduced channel availability in steady-state inactivation protocols by enhancing or stabilizing Na(+) channel inactivation. Both Na(+) channel blockade and activation of GABAA receptors provide a possible mechanism for the known anti-epileptic effects of α-asarone. It also suggests that α-asarone could benefit patients with cough possibly through inhibiting a Na(+) channel subtype to inhibit peripheral and/or central sensitization of cough reflexes.

Localization and targeting of voltage-dependent ion channels in mammalian central neurons

The intrinsic electrical properties and the synaptic input-output relationships of neurons are governed by the action of voltage-dependent ion channels. The localization of specific populations of ion channels with distinct functional properties at discrete sites in neurons dramatically impacts excitability and synaptic transmission. Molecular cloning studies have revealed a large family of genes encoding voltage-dependent ion channel principal and auxiliary subunits, most of which are expressed in mammalian central neurons. Much recent effort has focused on determining which of these subunits coassemble into native neuronal channel complexes, and the cellular and subcellular distributions of these complexes, as a crucial step in understanding the contribution of these channels to specific aspects of neuronal function. Here we review progress made on recent studies aimed to determine the cellular and subcellular distribution of specific ion channel subunits in mammalian brain neurons using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. We also discuss the repertoire of ion channel subunits in specific neuronal compartments and implications for neuronal physiology. Finally, we discuss the emerging mechanisms for determining the discrete subcellular distributions observed for many neuronal ion channels.

Analysis of resurgent sodium-current expression in rat parahippocampal cortices and hippocampal formation

The resurgent Na(+) current (I(NaR)) is a component of neuronal voltage-dependent Na(+) currents that is activated by repolarization and is believed to result from an atypical path of Na(+)-channel recovery from inactivation. So far, I(NaR) has only been identified in a small number of central neuronal populations in the cerebellum, diencephalon, and brainstem. The possible presence and roles of I(NaR) in neurons of the cerebral cortex and temporal-lobe memory system are still uncharacterized. In this study whole-cell, patch-clamp experiments were carried out in acute rat brain slices to investigate I(NaR) expression and properties in several neuronal populations of the parahippocampal region and hippocampal formation. Specifically, we examined pyramidal neurons of perirhinal cortex areas 36 and 35 (layers II and V); neurons of superficial and deep layers of medial entorhinal cortex (mEC); dentate gyrus (DG) granule cells; and pyramidal cells of the CA3 and CA1 hippocampal fields. I(NaR) was found to be thoroughly expressed in parahippocampal cortices. The most consistent and prominent I(NaR) expression was observed in mEC layer-II cells. A vast majority of areas 36 and 35 neurons (both in layers II and V) and mEC layer-III and -V neurons were also endowed with I(NaR), although at lower amplitude levels. I(NaR) was expressed by approximately 60% of DG granule cells and approximately 35% of CA1 pyramidal cells of the ventral hippocampus, whereas it was never observed in CA3 neurons (both in the ventral and dorsal hippocampus) and CA1 neurons of the dorsal hippocampus. The biophysical properties of I(NaR) were very similar in all of the neuronal types in which the current was observed, with a peak in the current-voltage relationship at -35/-40 mV. Our results show that the parahippocampal region and part of the hippocampal formation are sites of major I(NaR) expression, and provide a new basis for further studies on the molecular correlates of I(NaR).

Expression of Nav1.6 sodium channels by Schwann cells at neuromuscular junctions: Role in the motor endplate disease phenotype

In addition to their role in action potential generation and fast synaptic transmission in neurons, voltage-dependent sodium channels can also be active in glia. Terminal Schwann cells (TSCs) wrap around the nerve terminal arborization at the neuromuscular junction, which they contribute to shape during development and in the postdenervation processes. Using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), immunofluorescence, and confocal microscopy, we detected the neuronal Nav1.6 sodium channel transcripts and proteins in TSCs in normal adult rats and mice. Nav1.6 protein co-localized with the Schwann cell marker S-100 but was not detected in the SV2-positive nerve terminals. The med phenotype in mice is due to a mutation in the SCN8A gene resulting in loss of Nav1.6 expression. It leads to early onset in postnatal life of defects in neuromuscular transmission with minimal alteration of axonal conduction. Strikingly, in mutant mice, the nonmyelinated pre-terminal region of axons showed abundant sprouting at neuromuscular junctions, and most of the alpha-bungarotoxin-labeled endplates were devoid of S-100- or GFAP-positive TSCs. Using specific antibodies against the Nav1.2 and Nav1.6 sodium channels, ankyrin G and Caspr 1, and a pan sodium channel antibody, we found that a similar proportion of ankyrin G-positive nodes of Ranvier express sodium channels in mutant and wild-type animals and that nodal expression of Nav1.2 persists in med mice. Our data supports the hypothesis that the lack of expression of Nav1.6 in Schwann cells at neuromuscular junctions might play a role in the med phenotype.

Physiological and morphological development of the rat cerebellar Purkinje cell

Cerebellar Purkinje cells integrate multimodal afferent inputs and, as the only projection neurones of the cerebellar cortex, are key to the coordination of a variety of motor- and learning-related behaviours. In the neonatal rat the cerebellum is undeveloped, but over the first few postnatal weeks both the structure of the cerebellum and cerebellar-dependent behaviours mature rapidly. Maturation of Purkinje cell physiology is expected to contribute significantly to the development of cerebellar output. However, the ontogeny of the electrophysiological properties of the Purkinje cell and its relationship to maturation of cell morphology is incompletely understood. To address this problem we performed a detailed in vitro electrophysiological analysis of the spontaneous and intracellularly evoked intrinsic properties of Purkinje cells obtained from postnatal rats (P0 to P90) using whole-cell patch clamp recordings. Cells were filled with neurobiotin to enable subsequent morphological comparisons. Three stages of physiological and structural development were identified. During the early postnatal period (P0 to approximately P9) Purkinje cells were characterized by an immature pattern of Na(+)-spike discharge, and possessed only short multipolar dendrites. This was followed by a period of rapid maturation (from approximately P12 to approximately P18), consisting of changes in Na(+)-spike discharge, emergence of repetitive bursts of Na(+) spikes terminated by Ca(2+) spikes (Ca(2+)-Na(+) bursts), generation of the trimodal pattern, and a significant expansion of the dendritic tree. During the final stage (> P18 to P90) there were minor refinements of cell output and a plateau in dendritic area. Our results reveal a rapid transition of the Purkinje cell from morphological and physiological immaturity to adult characteristics over a short developmental window, with a close correspondence between changes in cell output and dendritic growth. The development of Purkinje cell intrinsic electrophysiological properties further matches the time course of other measures of cerebellar structural and functional maturation.

Sodium channel beta1 subunits promote neurite outgrowth in cerebellar granule neurons

Many immunoglobulin superfamily members are integral in development through regulation of processes such as growth cone guidance, cell migration, and neurite outgrowth. We demonstrate that homophilic interactions between voltage-gated sodium channel beta1 subunits promote neurite extension in cerebellar granule neurons. Neurons isolated from wild-type or beta1(-/-) mice were plated on top of parental, mock-, or beta1-transfected fibroblasts. Wild-type neurons consistently showed increased neurite length when grown on beta1-transfected monolayers, whereas beta1(-/-) neurons showed no increase compared with control conditions. beta1-mediated neurite extension was mimicked using a soluble beta1 extracellular domain and was blocked by antibodies directed against the beta1 extracellular domain. Immunohistochemical analysis suggests that the beta1 and beta4 subunits, but not beta2 and beta3, are expressed in cerebellar Bergmann glia as well as granule neurons. These results suggest a novel role for beta1 during neuronal development and are the first demonstration of a functional role for sodium channel beta subunit-mediated cell adhesive interactions.

Sodium channel beta4, a new disulfide-linked auxiliary subunit with similarity to beta2

The principal alpha subunit of voltage-gated sodium channels is associated with auxiliary beta subunits that modify channel function and mediate protein-protein interactions. We have identified a new beta subunit termed beta4. Like the beta1-beta3 subunits, beta4 contains a cleaved signal sequence, an extracellular Ig-like fold, a transmembrane segment, and a short intracellular C-terminal tail. Using TaqMan reverse transcription-PCR analysis, in situ hybridization, and immunocytochemistry, we show that beta4 is widely distributed in neurons in the brain, spinal cord, and some sensory neurons.beta4 is most similar to the beta2 subunit (35% identity), and, like the beta2 subunit, the Ig-like fold of beta4 contains an unpaired cysteine that may interact with the alpha subunit. Under nonreducing conditions, beta4 has a molecular mass exceeding 250 kDa because of its covalent linkage to Nav1.2a, whereas on reduction, it migrates with a molecular mass of 38 kDa, similar to the mature glycosylated forms of the other beta subunits. Coexpression of beta4 with brain Nav1.2a and skeletal muscle Nav1.4 alpha subunits in tsA-201 cells resulted in a negative shift in the voltage dependence of channel activation, which overrode the opposite effects of beta1 and beta3 subunits when they were present. This novel, disulfide-linked beta subunit is likely to affect both protein-protein interactions and physiological function of multiple sodium channel alpha subunits.

Molecular determinants of emerging excitability in rat embryonic motoneurons

Molecular determinants of excitability were studied in pure cultures of rat embryonic motoneurons. Using RT-PCR, we have shown here that the spike-generating Na(+) current is supported by Nav1.2 and/or Nav1.3 alpha-subunits. Nav1.1 and Nav1.6 transcripts were also identified. We have demonstrated that alternatively spliced isoforms of Nav1.1 and Nav1.6, resulting in truncated proteins, were predominant during the first week in culture. However, Nav1.6 protein could be detected after 12 days in vitro. The Nav beta 2.1 transcript was not detected, whereas the Nav beta 1.1 transcript was present. Even in the absence of Nav beta 2.1, alpha-subunits were correctly inserted into the initial segment. RT-PCR (at semi-quantitative and single-cell levels) and immunocytochemistry showed that transient K(+) currents result from the expression of Kv4.2 and Kv4.3 subunits. This is the first identification of subunits responsible for a transient K(+) current in spinal motoneurons. The blockage of Kv4.2/Kv4.3 using a specific toxin modified the shape of the action potential demonstrating the involvement of these conductance channels in regulating spike repolarization and the discharge frequency. Among the other Kv alpha-subunits (Kv1.3, 1.4, 1.6, 2.1, 3.1 and 3.3), we showed that the Kv1.6 subunit was partly responsible for the sustained K(+) current. In conclusion, this study has established the first correlation between the molecular nature of voltage-dependent Na(+) and K(+) channels expressed in embryonic rat motoneurons in culture and their electrophysiological characteristics in the period when excitability appears.

Comparative distribution of voltage-gated sodium channel proteins in human brain

Antisera directed against unique peptide regions from each of the human brain voltage-gated sodium channel alpha subunits were generated. In immunoblots these were found to be highly specific for the corresponding recombinant polypeptides and to recognise the native holoprotein in human brain membrane preparations. These antisera were used to perform a comparative immunohistochemical distribution analysis of all four brain sodium channel subtypes in selected human CNS regions. Distinct but heterogeneous distribution patterns were observed for each of the alpha subunits. In general, these were complimentary to that previously shown for the corresponding human mRNAs. A high degree of conservation with respect to the distribution found in rat was also evident. The human alpha subunit proteins exhibited distinct subcellular localisation patterns. Types I, III and VI immunoreactivity was predominantly in neuronal cell bodies and proximal processes, whereas type II was concentrated along axons. This is similar to rat brain and suggests the different the sodium channel subtypes have distinct functions which are highly conserved between human and rodents. A notable difference was that the type III protein was detected in all human brain regions examined, unlike in rat brain where expression in adults is very restricted. Also in contrast to rat brain, the human type VI protein was not detected in axons of unmyelinated neurons. These differences may reflect true species variation and could have important implications for understanding the function of the sodium channel subtypes and their roles in human disease.

Distribution of voltage-gated sodium channel alpha-subunit and beta-subunit mRNAs in human hippocampal formation, cortex, and cerebellum

The distribution of mRNAs encoding voltage-gated sodium channel alpha subunits (I, II, III, and VI) and beta subunits (beta1 and beta2) was studied in selected regions of the human brain by Northern blot and in situ hybridisation experiments. Northern blot analysis showed that all regions studied exhibited heterogenous expression of sodium channel transcripts. In situ hybridisation experiments confirmed these findings and revealed a predominantly neuronal distribution. In the parahippocampal gyrus, subtypes II and VI and the beta-subunit mRNAs exhibited robust expression in the granule cells of the dentate gyrus and pyramidal cell layer of the hippocampus. Subtypes I and III showed moderate expression in granule cells and low expression in the pyramidal cell layer. Distinct expression patterns were also observed in the cortical layers of the middle frontal gyrus and in the entorhinal cortex. In particular, all subtypes exhibited higher levels of expression in cortical layers III, V, and VI compared with layers I and II. All subtypes were expressed in the granular layer of the cerebellum, whereas specific expression of subtypes I, VI, beta1, and beta2 mRNAs was observed in Purkinje cells. Subtypes I, VI, and beta1 mRNAs were expressed, at varying levels, in the pyramidal cells of the deep cerebellar nuclei. These data indicate that, as in rat, human brain sodium channel mRNAs have a distinct regional distribution, with individual cell types expressing different compliments of sodium channels. The differential distribution of sodium channel subtypes suggest that they have distinct roles that are likely to be of paramount importance in maintaining the functional heterogeneity of central nervous system neurons.