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  • Title: An M-like potassium current in the guinea pig cochlea.
    Author: Liang G, Moore EJ, Ulfendahl M, Rydqvist B, Järlebark L.
    Journal: ORL J Otorhinolaryngol Relat Spec; 2005; 67(2):75-82. PubMed ID: 15855814.
    Abstract:
    Potassium M currents play a role in stabilizing the resting membrane potential. These currents have previously been identified in several cell types, including sensory receptors. Given that maintaining membrane excitability is important for mechano-electrical transduction in the inner ear, the presence of M currents was investigated in outer hair cells isolated from the guinea pig hearing organ. Using a pulse protocol designed to emphasize M currents with the whole-cell patch-clamp technique, voltage- and time-dependent, non-inactivating, low-threshold currents (the hallmarks of M currents) were recorded. These currents were significantly reduced by cadmium chloride. Results from RT-PCR analysis indicated that genes encoding M channel subunits KCNQ2 and KCNQ3 are expressed in the guinea pig cochlea. Our data suggest that guinea pig outer hair cells express an M-like potassium current that, following sound stimulation, may play an important role in returning the membrane potential to resting level and thus regulating outer hair cell synaptic mechanisms.
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