Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptors Modulate HCN Channel Properties in Vestibular Ganglion Neurons. 2023

Daniel Bronson, and Radha Kalluri
Hearing and Communications Neuroscience Training Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90057.

Efferent modulation of vestibular afferent excitability is linked to muscarinic signaling cascades that close low-voltage-gated potassium channels (i.e., KCNQ). Here, we show that muscarinic signaling cascades also depolarize the activation range of hyperpolarization-activated cyclic-nucleotide gated (HCN) channels. We compared the voltage activation range and kinetics of HCN channels and induced firing patterns before and after administering the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) agonist oxotremorine-M (Oxo-M) in dissociated vestibular ganglion neurons (VGNs) from rats of either sex using perforated whole-cell patch-clamp methods. Oxo-M depolarized HCN channels' half-activation voltage (V 1/2) and sped up the rate of activation near resting potential twofold. HCN channels in large-diameter and/or transient firing VGN (putative cell bodies of irregular firing neuron from central epithelial zones) had relatively depolarized V 1/2 in control solution and were less sensitive to mAChR activation than those found in small-diameter VGN with sustained firing patterns (putatively belonging to regular firing afferents). The impact of mAChR on HCN channels is not a direct consequence of closing KCNQ channels since pretreating the cells with Linopirdine, a KCNQ channel blocker, did not prevent HCN channel depolarization by Oxo-M. Efferent signaling promoted ion channel configurations that were favorable to highly regular spiking in some VGN, but not others. This is consistent with previous observations that low-voltage gated potassium currents in VGN are conducted by mAChR agonist-sensitive and -insensitive channels. Connecting efferent signaling to HCN channels is significant because of the channel's impact on spike-timing regularity and nonchemical transmission between Type I hair cells and vestibular afferents.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Vestibular afferents express a diverse complement of ion channels. In vitro studies identified low-voltage activated potassium channels and hyperpolarization-activated cyclic-nucleotide gated (HCN) channels as crucial for shaping the timing and sensitivity of afferent responses. Moreover, a network of acetylcholine-releasing efferent neurons controls afferent excitability by closing a subgroup of low-voltage activated potassium channels on the afferent neuron. This work shows that these efferent signaling cascades also enhance the activation of HCN channels by depolarizing their voltage activation range. The size of this effect varies depending on the endogenous properties of the HCN channel and on cell type (as determined by discharge patterns and cell size). Simultaneously controlling two ion-channel groups gives the vestibular efferent system exquisite control over afferent neuron activity.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009474 Neurons The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM. Nerve Cells,Cell, Nerve,Cells, Nerve,Nerve Cell,Neuron
D009711 Nucleotides The monomeric units from which DNA or RNA polymers are constructed. They consist of a purine or pyrimidine base, a pentose sugar, and a phosphate group. (From King & Stansfield, A Dictionary of Genetics, 4th ed) Nucleotide
D010095 Oxotremorine A non-hydrolyzed muscarinic agonist used as a research tool. Oxytremorine
D011976 Receptors, Muscarinic One of the two major classes of cholinergic receptors. Muscarinic receptors were originally defined by their preference for MUSCARINE over NICOTINE. There are several subtypes (usually M1, M2, M3....) that are characterized by their cellular actions, pharmacology, and molecular biology. Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptors,Muscarinic Receptors,Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor,Muscarinic Receptor,Acetylcholine Receptor, Muscarinic,Acetylcholine Receptors, Muscarinic,Receptor, Muscarinic,Receptor, Muscarinic Acetylcholine,Receptors, Muscarinic Acetylcholine
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D014725 Vestibular Nerve The vestibular part of the 8th cranial nerve (VESTIBULOCOCHLEAR NERVE). The vestibular nerve fibers arise from neurons of Scarpa's ganglion and project peripherally to vestibular hair cells and centrally to the VESTIBULAR NUCLEI of the BRAIN STEM. These fibers mediate the sense of balance and head position. Scarpa's Ganglion,Ganglion, Scarpa's,Nerve, Vestibular,Nerves, Vestibular,Scarpa Ganglion,Scarpas Ganglion,Vestibular Nerves
D015221 Potassium Channels Cell membrane glycoproteins that are selectively permeable to potassium ions. At least eight major groups of K channels exist and they are made up of dozens of different subunits. Ion Channels, Potassium,Ion Channel, Potassium,Potassium Channel,Potassium Ion Channels,Channel, Potassium,Channel, Potassium Ion,Channels, Potassium,Channels, Potassium Ion,Potassium Ion Channel
D051381 Rats The common name for the genus Rattus. Rattus,Rats, Laboratory,Rats, Norway,Rattus norvegicus,Laboratory Rat,Laboratory Rats,Norway Rat,Norway Rats,Rat,Rat, Laboratory,Rat, Norway,norvegicus, Rattus
D054815 Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Cation Channels A subgroup of cyclic nucleotide-regulated ION CHANNELS within the superfamily of pore-loop cation channels. They are expressed in OLFACTORY NERVE cilia and in PHOTORECEPTOR CELLS and some PLANTS. Cyclic-Nucleotide Gated Ion Channels,CNG Channel (Rod),Cationic Channel Protein (Rod),Cng Cation Channel,Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Cation Channel,Cyclic-Nucleotide Gated Channel,Cation Channel, Cng,Channel, Cng Cation,Channel, Cyclic-Nucleotide Gated,Cyclic Nucleotide Gated Cation Channel,Cyclic Nucleotide Gated Cation Channels,Cyclic Nucleotide Gated Channel,Cyclic Nucleotide Gated Ion Channels,Gated Channel, Cyclic-Nucleotide
D018678 Cholinergic Agents Any drug used for its actions on cholinergic systems. Included here are agonists and antagonists, drugs that affect the life cycle of ACETYLCHOLINE, and drugs that affect the survival of cholinergic neurons. The term cholinergic agents is sometimes still used in the narrower sense of MUSCARINIC AGONISTS, although most modern texts discourage that usage. Acetylcholine Agent,Acetylcholine Agents,Cholinergic,Cholinergic Agent,Cholinergic Drug,Cholinomimetic,Cholinomimetics,Muscarinic,Muscarinic Agent,Muscarinic Agents,Nicotinic Agent,Nicotinic Agents,Cholinergic Drugs,Cholinergic Effect,Cholinergic Effects,Cholinergics,Muscarinic Effect,Muscarinic Effects,Muscarinics,Nicotinic Effect,Nicotinic Effects,Agent, Acetylcholine,Agent, Cholinergic,Agent, Muscarinic,Agent, Nicotinic,Agents, Acetylcholine,Agents, Cholinergic,Agents, Muscarinic,Agents, Nicotinic,Drug, Cholinergic,Drugs, Cholinergic,Effect, Cholinergic,Effect, Muscarinic,Effect, Nicotinic,Effects, Cholinergic,Effects, Muscarinic,Effects, Nicotinic

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