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KMID : 0388420000100010097
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Konkuk Journal of Medical Sciences
2000 Volume.10 No. 1 p.97 ~ p.110
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The Expression of Voltage-dependent K^+ Channels in the Guinea Pig Cochlea
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Kang Sung-Ho
Kim Bo-Hyung
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Abstract
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Ion channels or pumps in the membrane of eukaryotic cell respond to difference between the intracellular and the extracellular ion concentrations. They induce the electrical potential necessary develop the flow of solutes and ions. Ion channel is one of the basic structures maintaining the homeostasis to control the excitation, secretion, motility, growth and volume of cell. In particular, K＾+ channel has a wide variety of sub-types and participates in signal transmission and signal spreading within the hair cells and the supporting cells.
In cochlea, K＾+ channel is responsible for the creation of positive endolymphatic potential and it is necessary for the sensory transduction of hair cell. However, there has been few research on the involvement of K＾+ channel for the homeostasis of hair cell, due to the anatomical and physiological characteristic of stria vascularis.
In this study, the expression and the distribution of voltage-dependent K＾+ channels(I_K, I_A) were examined in albino guinea pigs.
Results are summarized below.
1.Immunoblot analysis using antibodies against the delayed outward rectifiers(I_K) - K_V 1.1, 1.2, and 2.1 and the transient outward rectifier(I_A)-K_V 1.4 revealed the expression of theses channels in the lateral wall of the guinea pig cochlea.
2.Immunohistochemical staining with these antibodies in cochlear lateral wall revealed a strong positive response in the intermediate cells and a weak positive response of stria vascularis that lacks intermediate cells.
These results suggest a role of K_V channels in the voltage-dependent flow of K＾+ in intermediate cells, supporting the ’two-cell model’ theory.
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KEYWORD
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voltage-dependent potassiium channels, stria vascularis, western blot, immunohistochemistry, guinea pig cochlea
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