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Rett syndrome caused by mutations in methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (Mecp2) gene shows abnormalities in autonomic functions in which brain stem norepinephrinergic systems play an important role. Here we present systematic comparisons of intrinsic membrane properties of locus coeruleus (LC) neurons between Mecp2(-/Y) and wild-type (WT) mice. Whole cell current clamp was performed in brain slices of 3- to 4-wk-old mice. Mecp2(-/Y) neurons showed stronger inward rectification and had shorter time constant than WT cells. The former was likely due to overexpression of inward rectifier K(+) (K(ir))4.1 channel, and the latter was attributable to the smaller cell surface area. The action potential duration was prolonged in Mecp2(-/Y) cells with an extended rise time. This was associated with a significant reduction in the voltage-activated Na(+) current density. After action potentials, >60% Mecp2(-/Y) neurons displayed fast and medium afterhyperpolarizations (fAHP and mAHP), while nearly 90% WT neurons showed only mAHP. The mAHP amplitude was smaller in Mecp2(-/Y) neurons. The firing frequency was higher in neurons with mAHP, and the frequency variation was greater in cells with both fAHP and mAHP in Mecp2(-/Y) mice. Small but significant differences in spike frequency adaptation and delayed excitation were found in Mecp2(-/Y) neurons. These results indicate that there are several electrophysiological abnormalities in LC neurons of Mecp2(-/Y) mice, which may contribute to the dysfunction of the norepinephrine system in Rett syndrome.
Xiaoli Zhang, and
Ningren Cui, and
Zhongying Wu, and
Junda Su, and
Jyothirmayee S Tadepalli, and
Sowmya Sekizar, and
Chun Jiang
May 2013,
American journal of physiology. Cell physiology,
Xiaoli Zhang, and
Ningren Cui, and
Zhongying Wu, and
Junda Su, and
Jyothirmayee S Tadepalli, and
Sowmya Sekizar, and
Chun Jiang
December 2013,
American journal of physiology. Cell physiology,
Xiaoli Zhang, and
Ningren Cui, and
Zhongying Wu, and
Junda Su, and
Jyothirmayee S Tadepalli, and
Sowmya Sekizar, and
Chun Jiang
July 2004,
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America,
Xiaoli Zhang, and
Ningren Cui, and
Zhongying Wu, and
Junda Su, and
Jyothirmayee S Tadepalli, and
Sowmya Sekizar, and
Chun Jiang
November 1987,
The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience,
Xiaoli Zhang, and
Ningren Cui, and
Zhongying Wu, and
Junda Su, and
Jyothirmayee S Tadepalli, and
Sowmya Sekizar, and
Chun Jiang
May 2010,
Journal of neuroscience research,
Xiaoli Zhang, and
Ningren Cui, and
Zhongying Wu, and
Junda Su, and
Jyothirmayee S Tadepalli, and
Sowmya Sekizar, and
Chun Jiang
September 1984,
Neuroscience,
Xiaoli Zhang, and
Ningren Cui, and
Zhongying Wu, and
Junda Su, and
Jyothirmayee S Tadepalli, and
Sowmya Sekizar, and
Chun Jiang
October 2020,
Molecular brain,
Xiaoli Zhang, and
Ningren Cui, and
Zhongying Wu, and
Junda Su, and
Jyothirmayee S Tadepalli, and
Sowmya Sekizar, and
Chun Jiang
February 1996,
Alcoholism, clinical and experimental research,
Xiaoli Zhang, and
Ningren Cui, and
Zhongying Wu, and
Junda Su, and
Jyothirmayee S Tadepalli, and
Sowmya Sekizar, and
Chun Jiang
January 1987,
NIDA research monograph,
Xiaoli Zhang, and
Ningren Cui, and
Zhongying Wu, and
Junda Su, and
Jyothirmayee S Tadepalli, and
Sowmya Sekizar, and
Chun Jiang
September 1984,
Brain research,
