A novel GABAergic action mediated by functional coupling between GABAB-like receptor and two different high-conductance K+ channels in cricket Kenyon cells
The γ-aminobutyric acid type B (GABAB) receptor has been shown to attenuate high-voltage-activated Ca2+ currents and enhance voltage-dependent or inwardly rectifying K+ currents in a variety of neurons. In this study, we report a novel coupling of GABAB-like receptor with two different high-conductance K+ channels, Na+-activated K+ (KNa) channel and Ca2+-activated K+ (KCa) channel, in Kenyon cells isolated from the mushroom body of the cricket brain. Single-channel activities of KNa and KCa channels in response to bath applications of GABA and the GABAB-specific agonist SKF97541 were recorded with the cell-attached patch configuration. The open probability ( Po) of both KNa and KCa channels was found to be increased by bath application of GABA, and this increase in Po was antagonized by coapplication of the GABAB antagonist CGP54626, suggesting that GABAB-like receptors mediate these actions. Similarly, GABAB-specific agonist SKF97541 increased the Po of both KNa and KCa channels. Perforated-patch recordings using β-escin further revealed that SKF97541 increased the amplitude of the outward currents elicited by step depolarizations. Under current-clamp conditions, SKF97541 decreased the firing frequency of spontaneous action potential (AP) and changed the AP waveform. The amplitude and duration of AP were decreased, whereas the afterhyperpolarization of AP was increased. Resting membrane potential, however, was not significantly altered by SKF97541. Taken together, these results suggest that GABAB-like receptor is functionally coupled with both KNa and KCa channels and this coupling mechanism may serve to prevent AP formation and limit excitatory synaptic input.