Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Membrane Potential Dye Imaging of Ventromedial Hypothalamus Neurons From Adult Mice to Study Glucose Sensing
Published on: November 27, 2013
Glucose inhibition persists in hypothalamic neurons lacking tandem-pore K+ channels
Alice Guyon1, Magalie P Tardy, Carole Rovère
1Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 6097, Université de Nice Sophia-Antipolis, 06560 Valbonne, France.
Abstract:
Glucose sensing by hypothalamic neurons triggers adaptive metabolic and behavioral responses. In orexin neurons, extracellular glucose activates a leak K(+) current promoting electrical activity inhibition. Sensitivity to external acidification and halothane, and resistance to ruthenium red designated the tandem-pore K(+) (K(2P)) channel subunit TASK3 as part of the glucose-induced channel. Here, we show that glucose inhibition and its pH sensitivity persist in mice lacking TASK3 or TASK1, or both subunits. We also tested the implication of another class of K(2P) channels activated by halothane. In the corresponding TREK1/2/TRAAK triple knock-out mice, glucose inhibition persisted in hypothalamic neurons ruling out a major contribution of these subunits to the glucose-activated K(+) conductance. Finally, block of this glucose-induced hyperpolarizing current by low Ba(2+) concentrations was consistent with the conclusion that K(2P) channels are not required for glucosensing in hypothalamic neurons.
Related Concept Videos
Glucose Homeostasis: Regulation of Blood Glucose
During fasting, when blood glucose levels are low, the pancreas secretes glucagon. it...
Glucose Absorption Into the Small Intestine
Glucose Transporters
Facilitated diffusion-glucose transporters (GLUTs) are encoded by the solute-linked carrier (SLC) family 2, subfamily A gene family, or SLC2A. The 14 GLUT protein members are distributed into three classes:
Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism
Membrane Proteins
Glucose Homeostasis: Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Secretion
Insulin and C-peptide are co-secreted in...

