Characterization of voltage-activated ionic currents in the GnRH-containing terminalis nerve in transgenic zebrafish

The terminalis nerve (TN) is in a class of cranial nerves that plays important roles in animal development, physiology and behavior. Here, we report a study on the characterization of voltage-activated ionic currents in GnRH-containing TN cells in zebrafish. The experiments were performed using acutely dissociated TN cells from the transgenic zebrafish Tg (GnRH-3::GFP). In the transgenic zebrafish, the TN cells express GFP under the transcriptional control of the zebrafish GnRH-3 promoter. In all of the GnRH-containing TN cells examined, we recorded both low-voltage-activated (LVA) and high-voltage-activated (HVA) calcium current (I(Ca)). The characteristics of the I(Ca) were similar to those described in other zebrafish cell types. However, the distribution patterns of the currents in the GnRH-containing TN cells were different in comparison to the distribution of the currents in other cell types. In addition, we characterized TTX-sensitive sodium current (I(Na)) and 4AP-sensitive and TEA-resistant potassium current (I(K)). The characteristics of voltage-activated I(Na) and I(K) in the GnRH-containing TN cells were similar to those described in other zebrafish cell types. Together, the data from this study revealed the electrophysiological properties of the GnRH-containing TN cells, thereby providing insight on the regulatory mechanisms of TN-signaling in animal physiology.