@article{Clark09092009,
author = {Clark, Benjamin D. and Kurth-Nelson, Zeb L. and Newman, Eric A.}, 
title = {Adenosine-Evoked Hyperpolarization of Retinal Ganglion Cells Is Mediated by G-Protein-Coupled Inwardly Rectifying K+ and Small Conductance Ca2+-Activated K+ Channel Activation},
volume = {29}, 
number = {36}, 
pages = {11237-11245}, 
year = {2009}, 
doi = {10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2836-09.2009}, 
abstract ={Adenosine is a neuromodulator that activates presynaptic receptors to regulate synaptic transmission and postsynaptic receptors to hyperpolarize neurons. Here, we report that adenosine-induced hyperpolarization of retinal ganglion cells is produced by the activation of A1 receptors, which initiates a signaling cascade that activates G-protein-coupled inwardly rectifying K+ (GIRK) channels and small conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (SK) channels. Rat retinal ganglion cells were stimulated by focal ejection of the adenosine receptor agonist 5′-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA) while cell activity was monitored with whole-cell patch recordings and Ca2+ imaging. Focal ejections of NECA evoked outward currents in all cells tested and reduced light- and depolarization-induced spiking. The NECA-evoked current was abolished by the A1 antagonist 1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine (DPCPX) but was unaffected by A2a, A2b, and A3 antagonists, indicating that the response was mediated entirely by A1 receptors. The GIRK channel blocker rTertiapin-Q diminished the NECA-evoked inhibitory current by 56 ± 12%, whereas the SK channel blocker apamin decreased the NECA-induced current by 42 ± 7%. The SK component of the NECA-evoked current coincided with an increase in intracellular Ca2+ and was blocked by IP3 receptor antagonists and depletion of internal Ca2+ stores, suggesting that A1 receptor activation leads to an increase in IP3, which then elevates intracellular Ca2+ and activates SK channels. This A1-mediated, prolonged SK channel activation has not been described previously. The coactivation of GIRK and SK channels represents a novel mechanism of adenosine-mediated neuromodulation that could contribute to the regulation of retinal ganglion cell activity.}, 
URL = {http://www.jneurosci.org/content/29/36/11237.abstract}, 
eprint = {http://www.jneurosci.org/content/29/36/11237.full.pdf+html}, 
journal = {The Journal of Neuroscience} 
}