A-type K+ channels as a regulator of postsynaptic excitability in neurons |
Sung-Cherl Jung, Su- Yong Eun |
Department of Physiology, Jeju National University School of Medicine, Jeju, Korea |
Correspondence:
Sung-Cherl Jung, Email: jungsc@jejunu.ac.kr |
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Abstract |
Since their original descriptions, information encoding and storage function of mammalian brains have been explained by revealing the cellular and molecular mechanisms of synaptic plasticities in various levels of a central nervous system. including hippocampi and cerebral cortices. The modulatory mechanisms of synaptic excitability correlated with neuronal tasks have been considered as fundamental factors to induce synaptic plasticities, which are dependent on the intracellular ca 2 + mediated signalings. In the present review, A-type K+ (IA) channel, one of voltage-dependent cation channels. is issued as a key player to modulate Ca2 + influx though synaptic N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptors and their correlated signaling pathways, The functions of IA channels previously reported indicate that they are integral parts of a synaptic complex that regulates postsynaptic presses of neurons performing memory
functions and learning tasks. |
Key Words:
Synaptic plasticity, A-type K+, channel, Kv4.2, Long-term potentiation, Glutamate receptors, NMDA receptors. |
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