Regional and cellular expression patterns of four K+ channel mRNAs in the adult rat brain

Potassium (K+) channels are involved in the modulation and fine tuning of the excitable properties of neurons and glia in the nervous system. In the present report, in situ hybridization histochemistry was used to determine the regional and cellular distribution patterns in the adult rat brain of four mRNAs encoding subunits of voltage-gated K+ channels. These are Kv1.1, Kv1.6, K13 and IK8. All K+ channels examined showed distinct yet overlapping expression patterns. Expression of Kv1.1 mRNA was high in cells of certain motor-related structures of the brainstem. Kv1.6 mRNA expression was observed in cerebellar Purkinje cells and in various olfactory and amygdaloid structures. K13 was the only mRNA expressed in both neuronal and non-neuronal cell populations, including the cells of choroid plexus and pia. IK8 expression was observed only in the forebrain structures. In many brain regions, mRNAs for Kv1.1 and Kv1.6, both encoding K+ channel subunits belonging to the Shaker subfamily, were co-expressed, a necessary condition for heteromultimer formation.