Differential expression of voltage-gated potassium channel genes in auditory nuclei of the mouse brainstem

Voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels may play an important role in the enc oding of auditory information, Towards understanding the roles of Shaker an d Shaw-like channels in this process, we examine here the expression of Kv1 .1, Kv1.2, Kv3.1, and Kv3.3 in the central auditory nuclei of the mouse usi ng quantitative in:situ hybridization techniques. We establish rank order f or each channel's expression in each region, finding that the medial nucleu s of the trapezoid body shows the highest signal for each of the four chann el genes. In other auditory nuclei differential expression is found among a nd between members of both Shaker and Shaw subfamilies. Of particular inter est is the stark contrast between high level expression of Kv1.1 and very l ow level expression of Kv3.1 in the octopus cell area of the cochlear nucle us and in the lateral superior olivary nucleus. These unique expression pat terns suggest that Kv channel gene expression is regulated to allow brainst em auditory neurons to transmit temporally patterned signals with high fide lity. In instances where specific cell types can be tentatively identified, we discuss the possible contribution made by these channel genes to the ph ysiological properties of those neurons. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.