Prokineticin 2 regulates the electrical activity of rat suprachiasmatic nuclei neurons

PLoS One. 2011;6(6):e20263. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0020263. Epub 2011 Jun 8.

Abstract

Neuropeptide signaling plays roles in coordinating cellular activities and maintaining robust oscillations within the mammalian suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). Prokineticin2 (PK2) is a signaling molecule from the SCN and involves in the generation of circadian locomotor activity. Prokineticin receptor 2 (PKR2), a receptor for PK2, has been shown to be expressed in the SCN. However, very little is known about the cellular action of PK2 within the SCN. In the present study, we investigated the effect of PK2 on spontaneous firing and miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) using whole cell patch-clamp recording in the SCN slices. PK2 dose-dependently increased spontaneous firing rates in most neurons from the dorsal SCN. PK2 acted postsynaptically to reduce γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic function within the SCN, and PK2 reduced the amplitude but not frequency of mIPSCs. Furthermore, PK2 also suppressed exogenous GABA-induced currents. And the inhibitory effect of PK2 required PKC activation in the postsynaptic cells. Our data suggest that PK2 could alter cellular activities within the SCN and may influence behavioral and physiological rhythms.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Electric Conductivity
  • Electrophysiological Phenomena* / drug effects
  • Gastrointestinal Hormones / metabolism*
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potentials* / drug effects
  • Male
  • Neurons / cytology*
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Neuropeptides / metabolism*
  • Protein Kinase C / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Protein Kinase C / metabolism
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Receptors, GABA-A / metabolism
  • Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / cytology*
  • Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / drug effects
  • Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / metabolism
  • Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / physiology*
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / pharmacology

Substances

  • Gastrointestinal Hormones
  • Neuropeptides
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Receptors, GABA-A
  • prokineticin 2, rat
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
  • Protein Kinase C