Heterogeneous Expression of the Potassium-Chloride Cotransporter KCC₂ in Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Neurons of the Adult Mouse
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2003-07-01
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Sarah M. Leupen, Stuart A. Tobet, W. F. Crowley, Jr., Kai Kaila, Heterogeneous Expression of the Potassium-Chloride Cotransporter KCC₂ in Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Neurons of the Adult Mouse, Endocrinology, Volume 144, Issue 7, 1 July 2003, Pages 3031–3036, https://doi.org/10.1210/en.2002-220995
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Abstract
In mature central neurons, chloride extrusion mediated by the K-Cl cotransporter KCC₂ appears to be largely responsible for the Cl− driving force that allows γ-aminobutyric acidA (GABAA) receptor activation to trigger a hyperpolarization. In its absence, GABA’s effect is typically depolarizing and often excitatory. We examined the colocalization of KCC₂ and GnRH in adult male and female mice using a combined in situ hybridization-immunofluorescence procedure. We found that KCC₂ was localized to approximately 34% of GnRH neurons. This proportion was similar in females and males. However, females exhibited a marked rostrocaudal gradient of colocalization that was not seen in males. By contrast, KCC₂ was localized to nearly all vasopressin neurons of the supraoptic nucleus. These results indicate that a substantial fraction of GnRH neurons may be depolarized and excited by GABAA receptor activation throughout life, supporting the existence of functionally heterogeneous subpopulations.