Expression of Ca2+-activated K+ channel subunits and splice variants in the rat cochlea

The recently manifested important role of the Ca2+-activated K+ channels, e specially of the Slo gene-coded channels, for the cochlea function of the c hicken raised the question of homolog expression in mammalian inner ear tis sue. Molecular biological methods were used to demonstrate the expression o f Ca2+-activated K channel subunits and splice variants of the Slo gene in the rat organ of Corti. RT-PCR experiments for the detection of rat Slo alp ha subunit mRNA revealed the presence of several already known splice varia nts including variants which appeared to be typical for the organ of Corti (+58 aa) and for the brain (+61 aa). To detect the accessory beta subunit w e used Southern blot hybridization. Our data Support the hypothesis that Ca 2+-activated K+ channel subunits (i.e. Slo variants) are also involved in t he hearing of mammals in the organ of Corti. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.