FOR 1086 TP02 - Modulation, function and neuroprotective potential of TASK and TREK channels in the central nervous system

Basic data for this project

Description

Until now we have analyzed the function of TASK-1 and TASK-3 channels in thalamocortical relay neurons of dorsal part of the lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN). While these cells are regarded as prototypical relay neurons, the expression level of TASK channels is rather moderate. Therefore we now plan to analyze thalamic cell types with strong expression of specific TASK channel subtypes. For TASK-1 this is true for cells of the centromedian intralaminar nucleus (CM). For TASK-3 this is true for cells of the anterodorsal nucleus (AD). Thus these cells may be regarded as prototypical for neurons expression a specific TASK channel subtype. Furthermore we now extend our studies to analyze the elusive dLGN interneurons which seem to synchronize thalamic activity and to TRESK channels which have yet not been extensively studied in the brain. In order to be able to reliably identify the small and rare GABAergic interneurons we will use transgenic GAD67-GFP mice. Crossbreeding with TASK-1- and TASK-3-deficient mice will allow the investigation of specific channel function in interneurons. Possible pathophysiological alterations of K2P channels will be analyzed in a mouse model of human absence epilepsy (backcross of C3H/HeJ mice).