胞外钙对豚鼠耳蜗Deiters细胞钾电流的调制

为观察胞外钙对豚鼠耳蜗单个离体Deiters细胞钾电流的调控作用并探讨其机制,实验记录了Deiters细胞在正常细胞外液和无钙外液中的全细胞钾电流(whole cell K^ currents,IK),并分析了其电生理学特性的改变。结果观察到,Deiters细胞与在正常细胞外液中相比,在祛除细胞外液中的Ca^2 后Ik电流幅值明显增加,弦电导值亦明显增加,但其平衡电位未明显改变。在无钙外液中Ik电流的反转电位向超极化方向明显移位,更接近于按照Ner-nst方程得出的K^ 理论平衡电位;而且其稳态激活曲线亦向超极化方向明显移位,但其激活趋势与正常相比无明显改变。此外,观察了Deiters细胞中钙抑制性钾电流的电流-电压关系和电导-电压关系,发现两者均呈“S”形,提示此钙抑制性钾电流可能存在2种不同的钾电导成分。由此,推测可能有两种机制参与胞外钙对Deiters细胞钾电流的调控：(1)Deiters细胞中的Ik通道可能存在一个Ca^2 敏感结构域,胞外Ca^2 可能通过改变此结构域而对Ik电流产生调制;(2)Deiters细胞中可能存在一种新型的双相门控性钾通道或钾通道耦联型受体或是一种新型的钾通道亚型,祛除胞外Ca^2 可激活此新型钾电导而对L电流产生调制。由此推测,在听觉形成过程中,胞外钙浓度下降可以对Deiters细胞的全细胞钾电流产生调制,从而更有利于Deiters细胞内K^ 外流,进而有效地缓冲外毛细胞周围的K^ 浓度：而且还可以使Deiters细胞产生更快的复极化并有利于维持其静息状态。     

过氧化氢对老年豚鼠耳蜗外毛细胞大电导钙激活钾通道电流的影响

本文旨在研究氧自由基(oxygen free radical)供体——过氧化氢(H2O2)对老年豚鼠耳蜗外毛细胞大电导钙激活钾通道(large-conductance Ca2+-activated potassium channels,BKCa channels)电流的影响,探讨氧自由基对老年豚鼠耳蜗外毛细胞BKCa通道电流的作用机制。采用急性酶分离方法分离耳蜗外毛细胞,用全细胞膜片钳记录通道电流,鉴别并分析通道特性,观察不同浓度H2O2对BKCa通道电流的影响。结果显示,在膜片钳全细胞模式下,可记录到一串幅值较大、快速激活、几乎不失活的电流,激活电压大于-40~-30 mV,电流随膜电位的增加而增强,电流幅值不断增大,并表现出外向整流的特性,无"rundown"现象;IbTX(100 nmol/L)可完全阻断通道活动,证实该电流为BKCa通道电流。BKCa通道电流表现出明显的H2O2浓度依赖性激活,电流幅值和峰值电流密度随H2O2浓度(1、2、4μmol/L)增加而增大。以上结果提示,外毛细胞可能存在能够调节胞内钙平衡的氧自由基/BKCa途径。     

豚鼠I型前庭毛细胞胆碱能受体通道特性

本文旨在探讨豚鼠I型前庭毛细胞上有无胆碱能受体存在,并对其相应的离子通道特性进行研究。应用全细胞膜片钳技术检测急性分离的豚鼠I型前庭毛细胞对乙酰胆碱（acetylcholine,ACh）的反应。结果显示,7．5％（21／279）的I型前庭毛细胞对10-1000μmol／L ACh敏感,引发明显的外向电流。该电流对ACh的反应呈浓度依赖性,半数激活浓度（EC50）为（63.78±2．31）μmol／L,但该电流为非电压依赖性。在-50mV钳制电压和正常细胞外液中,100μmol／L ACh激活-持久缓慢的外向电流,电流幅值为（170±15）pA,该电流幅值依赖于胞外钙离子浓度,可被胞外给予的钙依赖性钾通道拮抗剂TEA阻断。I型前庭毛细胞的再次激活时间不小于1min。长时间暴露在ACh的情况下,受体离子通道不会发生自发性关闭。以上结果提示,部分豚鼠I型前庭毛细胞上存在胆碱能受体,胞外给予ACh可激活-持久缓慢的外向电流,其胆碱能受体通道对于ACh的作用呈浓度依赖性和外钙依赖性、非电压依赖性或失敏性。本研究结果对于阐明前庭传出神经的功能及其作用机制,证实并揭示I型前庭毛细胞上存在传出神经递质受体以及日后临床指导眩晕疾病的康复治疗具有重要的意义。     

豚鼠Ⅰ型前庭毛细胞胆碱能受体通道特性

本文旨在探讨豚鼠Ⅰ型前庭毛细胞上有无胆碱能受体存在,并对其相应的离子通道特性进行研究.应用全细胞膜片钳技术检测急性分离的豚鼠Ⅰ型前庭毛细胞对乙酰胆碱(acetylcholine, ACh)的反应.结果显示,7.5%(21/279)的Ⅰ型前庭毛细胞对10～1000μmol/L ACh敏感,引发明显的外向电流.该电流对ACh的反应呈浓度依赖性,半数激活浓度(EC50)为(63.78±2.31)μmol/L,但该电流为非电压依赖性.在-50mV钳制电压和正常细胞外液中,100μmol/L ACh激活一持久缓慢的外向电流,电流幅值为(170±15)pA,该电流幅值依赖于胞外钙离子浓度,可被胞外给予的钙依赖性钾通道拮抗剂TEA阻断.Ⅰ型前庭毛细胞的再次激活时间不小于1min.长时间暴露在ACh的情况下,受体离子通道不会发生自发性关闭.以上结果提示,部分豚鼠Ⅰ型前庭毛细胞上存在胆碱能受体,胞外给予ACh可激活一持久缓慢的外向电流,其胆碱能受体通道对于ACh的作用呈浓度依赖性和外钙依赖性、非电压依赖性或失敏性.本研究结果对于阐明前庭传出神经的功能及其作用机制,证实并揭示Ⅰ型前庭毛细胞上存在传出神经递质受体以及日后临床指导眩晕疾病的康复治疗具有重要的意义.     

豚鼠耳蜗外毛细胞的急性分离及钾离子通道的研究

本文对豚鼠耳蜗离体外毛细胞的细胞活性及底侧膜处电压依赖性钾离子通道进行了研究,结果表明：（１）离体外毛细胞悬液保存在４℃时,可延长存活时间达７ｈ以上。（２）外毛细胞的静息电位：应用电流钳方法,在刚形成全细胞方式时其细胞内静息电位为－７３．７±６．９ｍＶ,２ｍｉｎ后为－９４．８±４．１ｍＶ（ｘ±ｓ,ｎ＝１０）。（３）全细胞方式记录到的电压依赖性外向Ｋ＋电流是由快钾电流和延迟整流钾电流两部分组成,快钾电流的激活电位为－６０～－５０ｍＶ,延迟整流钾电流的激活电位为－４０～－３０ｍＶ,电流－电压关系曲线呈“Ｓ形上升”趋势。外向Ｋ＋电流被ＴＥＡ（２０ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ）阻断后,可观察到一种电压依赖性内向电流     

尼氟灭酸通过钙库钙释放引起豚鼠耳蜗螺旋动脉平滑肌细胞超极化(英文)

本研究旨在观察氯离子通道阻断剂尼氟灭酸（niflumic acid,NFA）引起豚鼠耳蜗螺旋动脉平滑肌细胞产生超极化的机制。以豚鼠为实验动物,运用细胞内微电极和全细胞膜片钳记录技术,观察NFA和其它药物对急性分离的耳蜗螺旋动脉平滑肌细胞的作用。结果显示：NFA、indanyloxyacetic acid94（LAh-94）和diSOdium4,4’-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2’-disulfonate（DIDS）可使低静息膜电位的细胞产生超极化,但对高静息膜电位的细胞无明显作用。低静息膜电位细胞的平均静息电位为（-42．47±1．38）mV（n=24）,100μmol／LNFA、10μmol／LIAA-94和200μmol／LDIDS分别使细胞超极化至（13．7±4．3）mV=9,P〈0．01）,（11．4±4．2）mV（n=7,P〈0．01）和（12．3±3．7）mV（n=8,P〈0．01）,这种氯离子通道阻断剂引起细胞超极化反应的效应呈浓度依赖性。NFA引起的超极化和外向电流几乎完全被100nmol／L iberiotoxin、100nmol／L charybdotoxin、10mmol／L tetraethylammonium、50μmol／LBAPTA—AM、10μmol／Lryanodine和0．1-10mmol／Lcaffeine阻断,但不能被100μmol／Lnifedipine、100μmol／LCdCI,和无Ca^2＋灌流外液阻断。结果捉示：氯离_了通道的阻断剂NFA可通过平滑肌细胞内钙库的钙释放增加细胞内钙,进而激活钙依赖的钾通道,产生耳蜗螺旋动脉平滑肌细胞的超极化反应。     

豚鼠耳蜗外毛细胞外向钾电流的研究

哺乳动物耳蜗具有超常的敏感性和频率分析能力 ,这依赖于感觉细胞基底膜的微机械反应。豚鼠耳蜗外毛细胞底侧膜存在电压依赖性Ｋ 通道、Ｃａ2 激活Ｋ 通道和内向钙通道等。文献报道牛蛙壶腹嵴毛细胞有瞬息Ｋ 电流 (ＩＡ) ,然而豚鼠耳蜗外毛细胞是否存在ＩＡ,迄今未见报道。来自脑干的内侧橄榄耳蜗束传出神经纤维大量分布于外毛细胞 ,调控着外毛细胞的功能 ,一般认为乙酰胆碱是耳蜗传出神经递质 ,此外三磷酸腺苷 (ＡＴＰ)对外毛细胞具有神经递质和神经调质双重作用 ,那么是否还有其他的递质发挥作用呢 ?我们应用全细胞膜片钳技术观察了豚鼠…     

川芎嗪抗链霉素耳毒性作用及其对豚鼠耳蜗外毛细胞钾通道的影响

本文旨在研究川芎嗪（tetramethylpyrazine,TMP）拮抗链霉素耳毒性作用及其对豚鼠耳蜗外毛细胞K^＋通道的影响,探讨TMP拈抗链霉素耳毒性的离子通道机制。60只豚鼠随机分为6组,应用听觉脑干反应（auditory brainstem response,ABR）技术检测豚鼠ABR听阈,观测TMP的抗链霉素耳毒作用;并采用全细胞膜片钳技术观察TMP对耳蜗外毛细胞Ca^2＋敏感艮电流的影响。结果显示,TMP明显降低链霉素导致的豚鼠ABR听阈升高,提示TMP具有抗链霉素耳毒性作用;TMP能明显增大豚鼠耳蜗外毛细胞Ca^2＋敏感艮电流,并呈浓度依赖关系。结果提示,TMP通过增大艮通道电导而拮抗链霉素耳毒性作用。     

牛磺酸镁对哇巴因致豚鼠心肌细胞心律失常模型钙离子通道的作用机制分析

摘要目的：研究牛磺酸镁（TMCC）对哇巴因致豚鼠心肌细胞心律失常模型钙离子通道的作用机制。方法：运用全细胞膜片钳技术分别记录TMCC和胺碘酮对正常心肌细胞和哇巴因导致的心律失常心肌细胞模型钙离子通道的作用。结果：5bμmol／L哇巴因使心肌细胞钙离子通道电流（ICa-L）减小。200和400μmol／L可以明显使Ic}L恢复。24．26μmol／L胺碘酮使IM进一步减少（P〉0．05）。结论：400μmol／LTMCC可以明显加大正常细胞的b。,起到促进钙内流的作用,并且增强哇巴因致豚鼠心律失常心肌细胞异常减少的电流。     

乙酰胆碱不依赖NO的释放引起耳蜗螺旋动脉平滑肌细胞的超极化

目的：乙酰胆碱（ACh）不仅是神经递质,也是一种有效的血管舒张物质参与许多血管床的调节活动。本实验观察ACh引起耳蜗螺旋动脉平滑肌细胞超极化的离子机制以及NO在超极化反应中的可能作用。方法：在豚鼠离体耳蜗螺旋动脉标本上,运用细胞内微电极技术记录外源性的ACh引起的反应。结果：在保持灌流液中含有5mmol／L K^＋以及最小纵向张力的情况下,ACh（0．1—10μmol／L）引起低静息膜电位细胞明显的超极化反应,而引起高静息膜电位细胞明显的去极化反应。ACh引起的平滑肌细胞超极化反应是浓度依赖性的（ACh的浓度是1μmol／L和10／μmol／L时,分别引起超极化的幅度是22和30mV,n=7）。ACh引起的超极化反应能被阿托品（atropine,0．1～1μmol／L,n=6）或DAMP（50～100nmol／L,n=6,一种选择性的地受体的拮抗剂）所阻断,同时也可被BAPTA—AM（10μmol／L,n=7,一种可通过细胞膜的Ca^2＋螯合剂）或eharybdotoxin＋apamin（50-100nmol／L,n=4,两种Ca^2＋激活K^＋通道的阻断剂）所阻断,但是Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester（L-NAME,300μmol／L,n=8,一种NO合成酶的完全抑制剂,n≥5）或glipizide（10μmol／L,ATP敏感性的K^＋通道阻断剂,n=4）或indomethacin（10μmol／L,环氧合酶的抑制剂,n=4）不能阻断ACh引起的超极化反应。结论：ACh通过激活内皮细胞的M3受体,开放钙依赖的钾通道．进而引起耳蜗螺旋动脉平滑肌细胞产生超极化反应,并且这一超极化反应与内皮细胞NO的产生和释放无关。     

Molecular cloning and functional expression of KCNQ5, a potassium channel subunit that may contribute to neuronal M-current diversity

We have isolated KCNQ5, a novel human member of the KCNQ potassium channel gene family that is differentially expressed in subregions of the brain and in skeletal muscle. When expressed in Xenopus oocytes, KCNQ5 generated voltage-dependent, slowly activating K(+)-selective currents that displayed a marked inward rectification at positive membrane voltages. KCNQ5 currents were insensitive to the K(+) channel blocker tetraethylammonium but were strongly inhibited by the selective M-current blocker linopirdine. Upon coexpression with the structurally related KCNQ3 channel subunit, current amplitudes increased 4-5-fold. Compared with homomeric KCNQ5 currents, KCNQ3/KCNQ5 currents also displayed slower activation kinetics and less inward rectification, indicating that KCNQ5 combined with KCNQ3 to form functional heteromeric channel proteins. This functional interaction between KCNQ5 and KCNQ3, a component of the M-channel, suggests that KCNQ5 may contribute to a diversity of heteromeric channels underlying native neuronal M-currents.     

抗心律失常药RP62719对哺乳动物心室肌K+电流的抑制

使用全细胞膜片箝技术, 研究RP62719对内向整流钾电流(IK1)、瞬时外向钾电流(Ito)和延迟外向整流钾电流(IK)的作用, 并探讨其抗心律失常作用的机制.实验结果表明, 在指令电压为-100 mV时, RP62719可显著抑制豚鼠心室肌细胞IK1, 半数抑制浓度(IC50)为5.0±1.0 μmol/L.RP62719 10 μmol/L在+40 mV时对犬心室肌细胞Ito抑制率为84.0±4.4%, IC50为1.2±0.51 μmol/L.在+40 mV时, 50 μmol/L RP62719还可使豚鼠心室肌细胞IKstep 减少50.0±8.3%, IKtail减少56.0±4.9%, IC50分别为4.2±0.8 μmol/L和3.3±0.75 μmol/L.提示RP62719抗心律失常的离子机制与其对IK1、Ito及IK的抑制有关.     

Extracellular chloride regulation of Kv2.1, contributor to the major outward Kv current in mammalian outer hair cells

Outer hair cells (OHC) function as both receptors and effectors in providing a boost to auditory reception. Amplification is driven by the motor protein prestin, which is under anionic control. Interestingly, we now find that the major, 4-AP-sensitive, outward K(+) current of the OHC (I(K)) is also sensitive to Cl(-), although, in contrast to prestin, extracellularly. I(K) is inhibited by reducing extracellular Cl(-) levels, with a linear dependence of 0.4%/mM. Other voltage-dependent K(+) (Kv) channel conductances in supporting cells, such as Hensen and Deiters' cells, are not affected by reduced extracellular Cl(-). To elucidate the molecular basis of this Cl(-)-sensitive I(K), we looked at potential molecular candidates based on Cl(-) sensitivity and/or similarities in kinetics. For I(K), we identified three different Ca(2+)-independent components of I(K) based on the time constant of inactivation: a fast, transient outward current, a rapidly activating, slowly inactivating current (Ik(1)), and a slowly inactivating current (Ik(2)). Extracellular Cl(-) differentially affects these components. Because the inactivation time constants of Ik(1) and Ik(2) are similar to those of Kv1.5 and Kv2.1, we transiently transfected these constructs into CHO cells and found that low extracellular Cl(-) inhibited both channels with linear current reductions of 0.38%/mM and 0.49%/mM, respectively. We also tested heterologously expressed Slick and Slack conductances, two intracellularly Cl(-)-sensitive K(+) channels, but found no extracellular Cl(-) sensitivity. The Cl(-) sensitivity of Kv2.1 and its robust expression within OHCs verified by single-cell RT-PCR indicate that these channels underlie the OHC's extracellular Cl(-) sensitivity.     

Mice with altered KCNQ4 K+ channels implicate sensory outer hair cells in human progressive deafness

KCNQ4 is an M-type K+ channel expressed in sensory hair cells of the inner ear and in the central auditory pathway. KCNQ4 mutations underlie human DFNA2 dominant progressive hearing loss. We now generated mice in which the KCNQ4 gene was disrupted or carried a dominant negative DFNA2 mutation. Although KCNQ4 is strongly expressed in vestibular hair cells, vestibular function appeared normal. Auditory function was only slightly impaired initially. It then declined over several weeks in Kcnq4-/- mice and over several months in mice carrying the dominant negative allele. This progressive hearing loss was paralleled by a selective degeneration of outer hair cells (OHCs). KCNQ4 disruption abolished the I(K,n) current of OHCs. The ensuing depolarization of OHCs impaired sound amplification. Inner hair cells and their afferent synapses remained mostly intact. These cells were only slightly depolarized and showed near-normal presynaptic function. We conclude that the hearing loss in DFNA2 is predominantly caused by a slow degeneration of OHCs resulting from chronic depolarization.     

Vasopressin stimulates action potential firing by protein kinase C-dependent inhibition of KCNQ5 in A7r5 rat aortic smooth muscle cells

[Arg(8)]-vasopressin (AVP), at low concentrations (10-500 pM), stimulates oscillations in intracellular Ca(2+) concentration (Ca(2+) spikes) in A7r5 rat aortic smooth muscle cells. Our previous studies provided biochemical evidence that protein kinase C (PKC) activation and phosphorylation of voltage-sensitive K(+) (K(v)) channels are crucial steps in this process. In the present study, K(v) currents (I(Kv)) and membrane potential were measured using patch clamp techniques. Treatment of A7r5 cells with 100 pM AVP resulted in significant inhibition of I(Kv). This effect was associated with gradual membrane depolarization, increased membrane resistance, and action potential (AP) generation in the same cells. The AVP-sensitive I(Kv) was resistant to 4-aminopyridine, iberiotoxin, and glibenclamide but was fully inhibited by the selective KCNQ channel blockers linopirdine (10 microM) and XE-991 (10 microM) and enhanced by the KCNQ channel activator flupirtine (10 microM). BaCl(2) (100 microM) or linopirdine (5 microM) mimicked the effects of AVP on K(+) currents, AP generation, and Ca(2+) spiking. Expression of KCNQ5 was detected by RT-PCR in A7r5 cells and freshly isolated rat aortic smooth muscle. RNA interference directed toward KCNQ5 reduced KCNQ5 protein expression and resulted in a significant decrease in I(Kv) in A7r5 cells. I(Kv) was also inhibited in response to the PKC activator 4beta-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (10 nM), and the inhibition of I(Kv) by AVP was prevented by the PKC inhibitor calphostin C (250 nM). These results suggest that the stimulation of Ca(2+) spiking by physiological concentrations of AVP involves PKC-dependent inhibition of KCNQ5 channels and increased AP firing in A7r5 cells.     

Inward-rectifier potassium channels in basolateral membranes of frog skin epithelium

Inward-rectifier K channel: using macroscopic voltage clamp and single- channel patch clamp techniques we have identified the K+ channel responsible for potassium recycling across basolateral membranes (BLM) of principal cells in intact epithelia isolated from frog skin. The spontaneously active K+ channel is an inward rectifier (Kir) and is the major component of macroscopic conductance of intact cells. The current- voltage relationship of BLM in intact cells of isolated epithelia, mounted in miniature Ussing chambers (bathed on apical and basolateral sides in normal amphibian Ringer solution), showed pronounced inward rectification which was K(+)-dependent and inhibited by Ba2+, H+, and quinidine. A 15-pS Kir channel was the only type of K(+)-selective channel found in BLM in cell-attached membrane patches bathed in physiological solutions. Although the channel behaves as an inward rectifier, it conducts outward current (K+ exit from the cell) with a very high open probability (Po = 0.74-1.0) at membrane potentials less negative than the Nernst potential for K+. The Kir channel was transformed to a pure inward rectifier (no outward current) in cell- attached membranes when the patch pipette contained 120 mM KCl Ringer solution (normal NaCl Ringer in bath). Inward rectification is caused by Mg2+ block of outward current and the single-channel current-voltage relation was linear when Mg2+ was removed from the cytosolic side. Whole-cell current-voltage relations of isolated principal cells were also inwardly rectified. Power density spectra of ensemble current noise could be fit by a single Lorentzian function, which displayed a K dependence indicative of spontaneously fluctuating Kir channels. Conclusions: under physiological ionic gradients, a 15-pS inward- rectifier K+ channel generates the resting BLM conductance in principal cells and recycles potassium in parallel with the Na+/K+ ATPase pump.     

三氯化铝对大鼠海马CA1区锥体细胞瞬间外向钾电流和延迟整流钾电流的影响

采用全细胞膜片钳技术,研究了三氯化铝(AlCl3)对急性分离的大鼠海马CA1区神经元钾通道的影响。结果表明,AlCl3对钾电流有明显的抑制作用,具有一定的浓度依赖性,1000μmol／AlCl3可改变IA和IX激活曲线和失活曲线的Vb和k值,使钾电流激活曲线右移,使失活曲线左移。这些结果表明AlCl3对大鼠海马CA1区神经元K^ 通道有抑制作用,它可能是铝引起中枢神经系统损伤的机制之一。     

Frequency dependence of electrical coupling in Deiters' cells of the guinea pig cochlea

Immunolabeling with antibodies against connexins 26 and 30 showed that, in the guinea pig cochlea, supporting Deiters' cells are massively interconnected and form an orderly network within the organ of Corti. In paired patch-clamp recordings the coupling ratio (CR) of adjacent Deiters' cells at the apex of the cochlea (approximately 0.31) was 3-fold smaller than in isolated cell pairs due to shunting afforded by multicellular connectivity. With sinusoidal current stimuli the delay in signal propagation between adjacent cells increased with increasing frequency whereas the amplitude did not change significantly up to 200 Hz (corner frequency Fc approximately 220 Hz). Depolarizing voltage commands applied to an outer hair cell (OHC) elicited outward potassium currents in the OHC and inward currents in the abutting Deiters' cells, supplying direct evidence for potassium buffering in the organ of Corti. Computational analysis indicates that electrical signals injected into a Deiters' cell are transmitted across a network segment spanning 8 cell diameters. Thus electrical coupling in the organ of Corti is unlikely to influence the selectivity of frequency filtering performed mechanically by the mammalian cochlea.     

KCNQ4 channels expressed in mammalian cells: functional characteristics and pharmacology

Human cloned KCNQ4 channels were stably expressed in HEK-293 cells and characterized with respect to function and pharmacology. Patch-clamp measurements showed that the KCNQ4 channels conducted slowly activating currents at potentials more positive than -60 mV. From the Boltzmann function fitted to the activation curve, a half-activation potential of -32 mV and an equivalent gating charge of 1.4 elementary charges was determined. The instantaneous current-voltage relationship revealed strong inward rectification. The KCNQ4 channels were blocked in a voltage-independent manner by the memory-enhancing M current blockers XE-991 and linopirdine with IC(50) values of 5.5 and 14 microM, respectively. The antiarrhythmic KCNQ1 channel blocker bepridil inhibited KCNQ4 with an IC(50) value of 9.4 microM, whereas clofilium was without significant effect at 100 microM. The KCNQ4-expressing cells exhibited average resting membrane potentials of -56 mV in contrast to -12 mV recorded in the nontransfected cells. In conclusion, the activation and pharmacology of KCNQ4 channels resemble those of M currents, and it is likely that the function of the KCNQ4 channel is to regulate the subthreshold electrical activity of excitable cells.