Changes in BK Channel Expression During Mouse Brain Development
Author Information
Author(s): Stephen H-F MacDonald, Peter Ruth, Hans-Guenther Knaus, Michael J Shipston
Primary Institution: University of Edinburgh
Hypothesis
Whether differential splicing of BK channel variants occurs during development of the mammalian CNS has not been examined.
Conclusion
The switch in splicing from the STREX phenotype to ZERO phenotype during embryonic and postnatal CNS development may provide a mechanism to allow BK channels to control distinct functions at different times of mammalian brain development.
Supporting Evidence
- Total BK channel transcripts are upregulated throughout the murine CNS during embryonic and postnatal development.
- There is a decrease in STREX variant mRNA expression and an upregulation in ZERO variant expression.
- The proportion of STREX transcripts was significantly lower than ZERO transcripts in most CNS regions.
Takeaway
This study looks at how certain channels in the brain change as mice grow up, which helps the brain work better at different ages.
Methodology
Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) Taqman™ assays were used to measure BK channel transcript levels.
Limitations
The study does not address the functional consequences of the observed changes in BK channel expression.
Participant Demographics
C57Bl6 mice at various developmental stages.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.01
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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