Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

In-vitro Mutagenesis01:16

In-vitro Mutagenesis

To learn more about the function of a gene, researchers can observe what happens when the gene is inactivated or “knocked out,” by creating genetically engineered knockout animals. Knockout mice have been particularly useful as models for human diseases such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Behavioral characterization of bulbar sensorimotor function in a rat model of Alexander disease.

Behavioural brain research·2026
Same author

Enhancement of sleep slow wave activity using transcranial electrical stimulation with temporal interference: an interim analysis of the STRENGTHEN study.

Communications medicine·2026
Same author

Induction of cortical on/off periods in awake mice fulfills sleep functions.

Nature neuroscience·2026
Same author

Progressive gait and motor deficits in a rat model of Alexander disease.

Behavioural brain research·2026
Same author

A hippocampal 'sharp-wave sleep' state that is dissociable from cortical sleep.

Nature neuroscience·2025
Same author

The intermediate filament protein GFAP regulates mitochondrial fission in astrocytes.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Methods for the Modulation and Analysis of NF-κB-dependent Adult Neurogenesis
14:58

Methods for the Modulation and Analysis of NF-κB-dependent Adult Neurogenesis

Published on: February 13, 2014

Sleep in Kcna2 knockout mice.

Christopher L Douglas1, Vladyslav Vyazovskiy, Teresa Southard

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53719, USA. cldouglas@wisc.edu

BMC Biology
|October 11, 2007
PubMed
Summary

Mammalian Kv1.2 channels, similar to Drosophila Shaker, regulate sleep. Kcna2 knockout mice show reduced non-REM sleep and increased waking, indicating Kv1.2

More Related Videos

Simultaneous Video-EEG-ECG Monitoring to Identify Neurocardiac Dysfunction in Mouse Models of Epilepsy
11:54

Simultaneous Video-EEG-ECG Monitoring to Identify Neurocardiac Dysfunction in Mouse Models of Epilepsy

Published on: January 29, 2018

Manipulation of Gene Function in Mexican Cavefish
07:01

Manipulation of Gene Function in Mexican Cavefish

Published on: April 22, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Methods for the Modulation and Analysis of NF-κB-dependent Adult Neurogenesis
14:58

Methods for the Modulation and Analysis of NF-κB-dependent Adult Neurogenesis

Published on: February 13, 2014

Simultaneous Video-EEG-ECG Monitoring to Identify Neurocardiac Dysfunction in Mouse Models of Epilepsy
11:54

Simultaneous Video-EEG-ECG Monitoring to Identify Neurocardiac Dysfunction in Mouse Models of Epilepsy

Published on: January 29, 2018

Manipulation of Gene Function in Mexican Cavefish
07:01

Manipulation of Gene Function in Mexican Cavefish

Published on: April 22, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Sleep Research
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Shaker potassium channels in Drosophila are crucial for sleep regulation, with mutations significantly reducing sleep duration.
  • Shaker-like channels are evolutionarily conserved, but their role in mammalian sleep remains largely uncharacterized.
  • Kcna2 gene encodes the Kv1.2 subunit, a mammalian homolog of Shaker, highly expressed in the thalamocortical system.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of Kv1.2 (encoded by Kcna2) in regulating sleep in mammals.
  • To characterize sleep patterns in mice lacking functional Kv1.2 channels.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized electroencephalography (EEG), electromyography (EMG), and video recordings for continuous sleep-wake monitoring.
  • Analyzed sleep stages, EEG power spectra, and seizure activity in Kcna2 knockout (KO), heterozygous (HZ), and wild-type (WT) mice at different ages (P17 and P67).
  • Assessed sleep deprivation response in adult HZ and WT mice.

Main Results:

  • Kcna2 KO pups exhibit significantly reduced non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep (-23%) and increased waking (+21%) compared to HZ and WT siblings at P17.
  • No significant changes in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep duration were observed in KO pups.
  • Adult HZ and WT mice displayed similar sleep patterns, daily sleep amounts, and responses to sleep deprivation, suggesting Kv1.2's primary impact is during early development or in specific contexts.

Conclusions:

  • Kv1.2, the mammalian Shaker homolog, plays a significant role in regulating NREM sleep and neuronal excitability.
  • Disruption of Kv1.2 function leads to altered sleep architecture, characterized by decreased NREM sleep and increased wakefulness.
  • These findings highlight the conserved function of Shaker-like channels in sleep regulation across species.