Characterization of Na+ and Ca2+ channels in zebrafish dorsal root ganglion neurons.

Dorsal root ganglia (DRG) somata from rodents have provided an excellent model system to study ion channel properties and modulation using electrophysiological investigation. As in other vertebrates, zebrafish (Danio rerio) DRG are organized segmentally and possess peripheral axons that bifurcate in...

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Main Authors: Yu-Jin Won, Fumihito Ono, Stephen R Ikeda
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2012-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3411820?pdf=render
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author Yu-Jin Won
Fumihito Ono
Stephen R Ikeda
author_facet Yu-Jin Won
Fumihito Ono
Stephen R Ikeda
author_sort Yu-Jin Won
collection DOAJ
description Dorsal root ganglia (DRG) somata from rodents have provided an excellent model system to study ion channel properties and modulation using electrophysiological investigation. As in other vertebrates, zebrafish (Danio rerio) DRG are organized segmentally and possess peripheral axons that bifurcate into each body segment. However, the electrical properties of zebrafish DRG sensory neurons, as compared with their mammalian counterparts, are relatively unexplored because a preparation suitable for electrophysiological studies has not been available.We show enzymatically dissociated DRG neurons from juvenile zebrafish expressing Isl2b-promoter driven EGFP were easily identified with fluorescence microscopy and amenable to conventional whole-cell patch-clamp studies. Two kinetically distinct TTX-sensitive Na(+) currents (rapidly- and slowly-inactivating) were discovered. Rapidly-inactivating I(Na) were preferentially expressed in relatively large neurons, while slowly-inactivating I(Na) was more prevalent in smaller DRG neurons. RT-PCR analysis suggests zscn1aa/ab, zscn8aa/ab, zscn4ab and zscn5Laa are possible candidates for these I(Na) components. Voltage-gated Ca(2+) currents (I(Ca)) were primarily (87%) comprised of a high-voltage activated component arising from ω-conotoxin GVIA-sensitive Ca(V)2.2 (N-type) Ca(2+) channels. A few DRG neurons (8%) displayed a miniscule low-voltage-activated component. I(Ca) in zebrafish DRG neurons were modulated by neurotransmitters via either voltage-dependent or -independent G-protein signaling pathway with large cell-to-cell response variability.Our present results indicate that, as in higher vertebrates, zebrafish DRG neurons are heterogeneous being composed of functionally distinct subpopulations that may correlate with different sensory modalities. These findings provide the first comparison of zebrafish and rodent DRG neuron electrical properties and thus provide a basis for future studies.
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spelling doaj.art-3b644ca8967a42b6b6fdd38d9f70acda2022-12-21T22:42:52ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032012-01-0178e4260210.1371/journal.pone.0042602Characterization of Na+ and Ca2+ channels in zebrafish dorsal root ganglion neurons.Yu-Jin WonFumihito OnoStephen R IkedaDorsal root ganglia (DRG) somata from rodents have provided an excellent model system to study ion channel properties and modulation using electrophysiological investigation. As in other vertebrates, zebrafish (Danio rerio) DRG are organized segmentally and possess peripheral axons that bifurcate into each body segment. However, the electrical properties of zebrafish DRG sensory neurons, as compared with their mammalian counterparts, are relatively unexplored because a preparation suitable for electrophysiological studies has not been available.We show enzymatically dissociated DRG neurons from juvenile zebrafish expressing Isl2b-promoter driven EGFP were easily identified with fluorescence microscopy and amenable to conventional whole-cell patch-clamp studies. Two kinetically distinct TTX-sensitive Na(+) currents (rapidly- and slowly-inactivating) were discovered. Rapidly-inactivating I(Na) were preferentially expressed in relatively large neurons, while slowly-inactivating I(Na) was more prevalent in smaller DRG neurons. RT-PCR analysis suggests zscn1aa/ab, zscn8aa/ab, zscn4ab and zscn5Laa are possible candidates for these I(Na) components. Voltage-gated Ca(2+) currents (I(Ca)) were primarily (87%) comprised of a high-voltage activated component arising from ω-conotoxin GVIA-sensitive Ca(V)2.2 (N-type) Ca(2+) channels. A few DRG neurons (8%) displayed a miniscule low-voltage-activated component. I(Ca) in zebrafish DRG neurons were modulated by neurotransmitters via either voltage-dependent or -independent G-protein signaling pathway with large cell-to-cell response variability.Our present results indicate that, as in higher vertebrates, zebrafish DRG neurons are heterogeneous being composed of functionally distinct subpopulations that may correlate with different sensory modalities. These findings provide the first comparison of zebrafish and rodent DRG neuron electrical properties and thus provide a basis for future studies.http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3411820?pdf=render
spellingShingle Yu-Jin Won
Fumihito Ono
Stephen R Ikeda
Characterization of Na+ and Ca2+ channels in zebrafish dorsal root ganglion neurons.
PLoS ONE
title Characterization of Na+ and Ca2+ channels in zebrafish dorsal root ganglion neurons.
title_full Characterization of Na+ and Ca2+ channels in zebrafish dorsal root ganglion neurons.
title_fullStr Characterization of Na+ and Ca2+ channels in zebrafish dorsal root ganglion neurons.
title_full_unstemmed Characterization of Na+ and Ca2+ channels in zebrafish dorsal root ganglion neurons.
title_short Characterization of Na+ and Ca2+ channels in zebrafish dorsal root ganglion neurons.
title_sort characterization of na and ca2 channels in zebrafish dorsal root ganglion neurons
url http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3411820?pdf=render
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