The expression of voltage-dependent K+ channels in stria vascularis of the guinea pig cochlea

Kang, S H; Kim, B H; Lim, D J; Lee, M J; Lee, B D; Chang, H S

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: An ion channel is one of the basic structures of a cell that maintain the homeostasis to control the excitation, secretion, motility, growth and volume of cells. In particular, the K+ channel has a wide variety and important factors that participate in signaling transmission and spread process within the hair cells and supporting cells. The purpose of this study is to investigate the expression and the distribution of voltage-dependent K+ channel (IK, IA) in stria vascularis of albino guinea pigs.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We investigated the expression and the distribution of voltage-dependent K+ channels (IK, IA) in the stria vascularis of guinea pig cochlea using the immunoblot analysis and the immunohistochemical staining.
RESULTS
The immunoblot analysis using antibodies against the delayed outward rectifiers (IK)-Kv 1.1, 1.2 and 2.1 and the transient outward rectifier (IA)-Kv 1.4 revealed the expression of these channels in the lateral wall of the guinea pig cochlea. The immunohistochemical staining with these antibodies in the cochlear lateral wall revealed a strong positive response in the intermediate cells and a weak positive response of stria vascularis that lacks intermediate cells.
CONCLUSION
These results suggest that the role of Kv channels in the voltage-dependent flow of K+ is in the intermediate cells, supporting the 'two-cell model' theory.