Note to users. If you're seeing this message, it means that your browser cannot find this page's style/presentation instructions -- or possibly that you are using a browser that does not support current Web standards. Find out more about why this message is appearing, and what you can do to make your experience of our site the best it can be.

Site Tools

  • AAAS
  • Subscribe
  • Feedback

Site Search

Search Advanced

Science 8 January 1999:
Vol. 283. no. 5399, pp. 215 - 217
DOI: 10.1126/science.283.5399.215
Prev | Table of Contents | Next

Reports

A Molecular Mechanism for Electrical Tuning of Cochlear Hair Cells

Krishnan Ramanathan, Timothy H. Michael, Guo-Jian Jiang, Hakim Hiel, Paul A. Fuchs *

Cochlear frequency selectivity in lower vertebrates arises in part from electrical tuning intrinsic to the sensory hair cells. The resonant frequency is determined largely by the gating kinetics of calcium-activated potassium (BK) channels encoded by the slo gene. Alternative splicing of slo from chick cochlea generated kinetically distinct BK channels. Combination with accessory beta subunits slowed the gating kinetics of alpha  splice variants but preserved relative differences between them. In situ hybridization showed that the beta  subunit is preferentially expressed by low-frequency (apical) hair cells in the avian cochlea. Interaction of beta  with alpha  splice variants could provide the kinetic range needed for electrical tuning of cochlear hair cells.

K. Ramanathan, Center for Hearing Sciences, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. T. H. Michael, G.-J. Jiang, H. Hiel, Center for Hearing Sciences, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (HNS), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. P. A. Fuchs, Center for Hearing Sciences, Departments of Otolaryngology-HNS and Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
*   To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: pfuchs{at}bme.jhu.edu

Read the Full Text


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Acid-sensing ion channels interact with and inhibit BK K+ channels.
E. Y. Petroff, M. P. Price, V. Snitsarev, H. Gong, V. Korovkina, F. M. Abboud, and M. J. Welsh (2008)
PNAS 105, 3140-3144
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
beta1-Subunits Increase Surface Expression of a Large-Conductance Ca2+-Activated K+ Channel Isoform.
E. Y. Kim, S. Zou, L. D. Ridgway, and S. E. Dryer (2007)
J Neurophysiol 97, 3508-3516
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Cochlear Function in Mice Lacking the BK Channel {alpha}, beta1, or beta4 Subunits.
S. J. Pyott, A. L. Meredith, A. A. Fodor, A. E. Vazquez, E. N. Yamoah, and R. W. Aldrich (2007)
J. Biol. Chem. 282, 3312-3324
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
BK channel beta1-subunit regulation of calcium handling and constriction in tracheal smooth muscle.
I. Semenov, B. Wang, J. T. Herlihy, and R. Brenner (2006)
Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 291, L802-L810
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Association of a Functional Deficit of the BKCa Channel, a Synaptic Regulator of Neuronal Excitability, With Autism and Mental Retardation.
F. Laumonnier, S. Roger, P. Guerin, F. Molinari, R. M'Rad, D. Cahard, A. Belhadj, M. Halayem, A. M. Persico, M. Elia, et al. (2006)
Am J Psychiatry 163, 1622-1629
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Modulation of Ca2+-activated K+ currents and Ca2+-dependent action potentials by exocytosis in goldfish bipolar cell terminals.
M. J. Palmer (2006)
J. Physiol. 572, 747-762
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Tertiapin-Q Blocks Recombinant and Native Large Conductance K+ Channels in a Use-Dependent Manner.
R. Kanjhan, E. J. Coulson, D. J. Adams, and M. C. Bellingham (2005)
J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 314, 1353-1361
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Ion Channel Development, Spontaneous Activity, and Activity-Dependent Development in Nerve and Muscle Cells.
W. J. Moody and M. M. Bosma (2005)
Physiol Rev 85, 883-941
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
The Appearance of a Protein Kinase A-regulated Splice Isoform of slo Is Associated with the Maturation of Neurons That Control Reproductive Behavior.
Y. Zhang, W. J. Joiner, A. Bhattacharjee, F. Rassendren, N. S. Magoski, and L. K. Kaczmarek (2004)
J. Biol. Chem. 279, 52324-52330
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Multiple sequences in the C terminus of MaxiK channels are involved in expression, movement to the cell surface, and apical localization.
S.-H. Kwon and W. B. Guggino (2004)
PNAS 101, 15237-15242
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Tonotopic Gradients of Membrane and Synaptic Properties for Neurons of the Chicken Nucleus Magnocellularis.
I. Fukui and H. Ohmori (2004)
J. Neurosci. 24, 7514-7523
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Effects of intracellular stores and extracellular Ca2+ on Ca2+-activated K+ currents in mature mouse inner hair cells.
W. Marcotti, S. L. Johnson, and C. J. Kros (2004)
J. Physiol. 557, 613-633
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
An Apamin- and Scyllatoxin-Insensitive Isoform of the Human SK3 Channel.
O. H. Wittekindt, V. Visan, H. Tomita, F. Imtiaz, J. J. Gargus, F. Lehmann-Horn, S. Grissmer, and D. J. Morris-Rosendahl (2004)
Mol. Pharmacol. 65, 788-801
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Association of {beta}-catenin with the {alpha}-subunit of neuronal large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels.
F. Lesage, H. Hibino, and A. J. Hudspeth (2004)
PNAS 101, 671-675
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Contribution of BK Ca2+-Activated K+ Channels to Auditory Neurotransmission in the Guinea Pig Cochlea.
L. J. Skinner, V. Enee, M. Beurg, H. H. Jung, A. F. Ryan, A. Hafidi, J.-M. Aran, and D. Dulon (2003)
J Neurophysiol 90, 320-332
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor Activation Enhances the Activities of Two Types of Ca2+-Activated K+ Channels in Rat Hippocampal Astrocytes.
D. Gebremedhin, K. Yamaura, C. Zhang, J. Bylund, R. C. Koehler, and D. R. Harder (2003)
J. Neurosci. 23, 1678-1687
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Gating Mechanism of BK (Slo1) Channels: So Near, Yet So Far.
K. L. Magleby (2003)
J. Gen. Physiol. 121, 81-96
   Full Text »    PDF »
Selecting for Functional Alternative Splices in ESTs.
Z. Kan, D. States, and W. Gish (2002)
Genome Res. 12, 1837-1845
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
New Disguises for an Old Channel: MaxiK Channel {beta}-Subunits.
P. Orio, P. Rojas, G. Ferreira, and R. Latorre (2002)
Physiology 17, 156-161
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Opposing actions of adrenal androgens and glucocorticoids on alternative splicing of Slo potassium channels in bovine chromaffin cells.
G.-J. Lai and D. P. McCobb (2002)
PNAS 99, 7722-7727
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Phosphorylation-dependent Functional Coupling of hSlo Calcium-dependent Potassium Channel and Its hbeta 4 Subunit.
P. Jin, T. M. Weiger, Y. Wu, and I. B. Levitan (2002)
J. Biol. Chem. 277, 10014-10020
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Molecular BKology: The Study of Splicing and Dicing.
M. Fury, S. O. Marx, and A. R. Marks (2002)
Sci. STKE 2002, pe12
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Spatially Distributed Alternative Splice Variants of the Renal Na-K-Cl Cotransporter Exhibit Dramatically Different Affinities for the Transported Ions.
I. Gimenez, P. Isenring, and B. Forbush (2002)
J. Biol. Chem. 277, 8767-8770
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Cloning and Characterization of Glioma BK, a Novel BK Channel Isoform Highly Expressed in Human Glioma Cells.
X. Liu, Y. Chang, P. H. Reinhart, and H. Sontheimer (2002)
J. Neurosci. 22, 1840-1849
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Pituitary Control of BK Potassium Channel Function and Intrinsic Firing Properties of Adrenal Chromaffin Cells.
P. V. Lovell and D. P. McCobb (2001)
J. Neurosci. 21, 3429-3442
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Expression of the Kv3.1 Potassium Channel in the Avian Auditory Brainstem.
S. Parameshwaran, C. E. Carr, and T. M. Perney (2001)
J. Neurosci. 21, 485-494
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Fast, But Not Slow, Effects of Olivocochlear Activation Are Resistant to Apamin.
N. Yoshida, M. C. Liberman, M. C. Brown, and W. F. Sewell (2001)
J Neurophysiol 85, 84-88
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
BK-Type KCa Channels in Two Parasympathetic Cell Types: Differences in Kinetic Properties and Developmental Expression.
J. S. Cameron and S. E. Dryer (2000)
J Neurophysiol 84, 2767-2776
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Rectification and Rapid Activation at Low Ca2+ of Ca2+-Activated, Voltage-Dependent BK Currents: Consequences of Rapid Inactivation by a Novel beta Subunit.
X.-M. Xia, J.-P. Ding, X.-H. Zeng, K.-L. Duan, and C. J. Lingle (2000)
J. Neurosci. 20, 4890-4903
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Bovine Versus Rat Adrenal Chromaffin Cells: Big Differences in BK Potassium Channel Properties.
P. V. Lovell, D. G. James, and D. P. McCobb (2000)
J Neurophysiol 83, 3277-3286
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Coregulation of Voltage-Dependent Kinetics of Na+ and K+ Currents in Electric Organ.
M. L. McAnelly and H. H. Zakon (2000)
J. Neurosci. 20, 3408-3414
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
beta Subunits Modulate Alternatively Spliced, Large Conductance, Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels of Avian Hair Cells.
K. Ramanathan, T. H. Michael, and P. A. Fuchs (2000)
J. Neurosci. 20, 1675-1684
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Cloning and Functional Characterization of Novel Large Conductance Calcium-activated Potassium Channel beta Subunits, hKCNMB3 and hKCNMB4.
R. Brenner, T. J. Jegla, A. Wickenden, Y. Liu, and R. W. Aldrich (2000)
J. Biol. Chem. 275, 6453-6461
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Conditional and Unconditional Inhibition of Calcium-activated Potassium Channels by Reversible Protein Phosphorylation.
S. K. Hall and D. L. Armstrong (2000)
J. Biol. Chem. 275, 3749-3754
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Molecular Components of Large Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium (BK) Channels in Mouse Pituitary Corticotropes.
M. J. Shipston, R. R. Duncan, A. G. Clark, F. A. Antoni, and L. Tian (1999)
Mol. Endocrinol. 13, 1728-1737
   Abstract »    Full Text »
Molecular Basis for the Inactivation of Ca2+- and Voltage-Dependent BK Channels in Adrenal Chromaffin Cells and Rat Insulinoma Tumor Cells.
X.-M. Xia, J. P. Ding, and C. J. Lingle (1999)
J. Neurosci. 19, 5255-5264
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Ion channel genes and human neurological disease: Recent progress, prospects, and challenges.
E. C. Cooper and L. Y. Jan (1999)
PNAS 96, 4759-4766
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Cloning and Functional Expression of Two Families of beta -Subunits of the Large Conductance Calcium-activated K+ Channel.
V. N. Uebele, A. Lagrutta, T. Wade, D. J. Figueroa, Y. Liu, E. McKenna, C. P. Austin, P. B. Bennett, and R. Swanson (2000)
J. Biol. Chem. 275, 23211-23218
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
A neuronal beta subunit (KCNMB4) makes the large conductance, voltage- and Ca2+-activated K+ channel resistant to charybdotoxin and iberiotoxin.
P. Meera, M. Wallner, and L. Toro (2000)
PNAS 97, 5562-5567
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »


ADVERTISEMENT
Click Me!

ADVERTISEMENT

To Advertise     Find Products

Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)