The Ca<sup>2+</sup>-activated chloride channel anoctamin-2 mediates spike-frequency adaptation and regulates sensory transmission in thalamocortical neurons.

Ha, Go Eun; Lee, Jaekwang; Kwak, Hankyul; Song, Kiyeong; Kwon, Jea; Jung, Soon-Young; Hong, Joohyeon; Chang, Gyeong-Eon et al. · Nat Commun · 2016

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Neuronal firing patterns, which are crucial for determining the nature of encoded information, have been widely studied; however, the molecular identity and cellular mechanisms of spike-frequency adaptation are still not fully understood. Here we show that spike-frequency adaptation in thalamocortical (TC) neurons is mediated by the Ca<sup>2+</sup>-activated Cl<sup>-</sup> channel (CACC) anoctamin-2 (ANO2). Knockdown of ANO2 in TC neurons results in significantly reduced spike-frequency adaptation along with increased tonic spiking. Moreover, thalamus-specific knockdown of ANO2 increases visceral pain responses. These results indicate that ANO2 contributes to reductions in spike generation in highly activated TC neurons and thereby restricts persistent information transmission.

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