Immunohistochemical localisation of the voltage gated potassium ion channel subunit Kv3.3 in the rat medulla oblongata and thoracic spinal cord.

Voltage gated K+ channels (Kv) are a diverse group of channels important in determining neuronal excitability. The Kv superfamily is divided into 12 subfamilies (Kv1-12) and members of the Kv3 subfamily are highly abundant in the CNS, with each Kv3 gene (Kv3.1-Kv3.4) exhibiting a unique expression pattern. Since the localisation of Kv subunits is important in defining the roles they play in neuronal function, we have used immunohistochemistry to determine the distribution of the Kv3.3 subunit in the medulla oblongata and spinal cord of rats. Kv3.3 subunit immunoreactivity (Kv3.3-IR) was widespread but present only in specific cell populations where it could be detected in somata, dendrites and synaptic terminals. Labelled neurones were observed in the spinal cord in laminae IV and V, in the region of the central canal and in the ventral horn. In the medulla oblongata, labelled cell bodies were numerous in the spinal trigeminal, cuneate and gracilis nuclei whilst rarer in the lateral reticular nucleus, hypoglossal nucleus and raphe nucleus. Regions containing autonomic efferent neurones were predominantly devoid of labelling with only occasional labelled neurones being observed. Dual immunohistochemistry revealed that some Kv3.3-IR neurones in the ventral medullary reticular nucleus, spinal trigeminal nucleus, dorsal horn, ventral horn and central canal region were also immunoreactive for the Kv3.1b subunit. The presence of Kv3.3 subunits in terminals was confirmed by co-localisation of Kv3.3-IR with the synaptic vesicle protein SV2, the vesicular glutamate transporter VGluT2 and the glycine transporter GlyT2. Co-localisation of Kv3.3-IR was not observed with VGluT1, tyrosine hydroxylase, serotonin or choline acetyl transferase. Electron microscopy confirmed the presence of Kv3.3-IR in terminals and somatic membranes in ventral horn neurones, but not motoneurones. This study provides evidence supporting a role for Kv3.3 subunits in regulating neuronal excitability and in the modulation of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission in the medulla oblongata and spinal cord.