Distribution of K3 Subunits in Cochlear Afferent and Efferent Nerve Fibers Implies Distinct Role in Auditory Processing.

K3 family K channels, by ensuring speedy repolarization of action potential, enable rapid and high frequency neuronal firing and high precision temporal coding of auditory information in various auditory synapses in the brain. Expression of different K3 subtypes within the auditory end organ has been reported. Yet, their precise role at the hair cell synaptic transmission has not been fully elucidated. Using immunolabeling and confocal microscopy we examined the expression pattern of different K3 family K channel subunits in the nerve fibers innervating the cochlear hair cells. K3.1b was found in NKA-positive type 1 afferent fibers, exhibiting high signal intensity at the cell body, the unmyelinated dendritic segment, first heminode and nodes of Ranvier. K3.3 signal was detected in the cell body and the unmyelinated dendritic segment of NKA-positive type 1 afferent fibers but not in peripherin-positive type 2 afferent. K3.4 was found in ChAT-positive LOC and MOC efferent fibers as well as peripherin-positive type 2 afferent fibers. Such segregated expression pattern implies that each K3 subunits participate in different auditory tasks, for example, K3.1b and K3.3 in ascending signaling while K3.4 in feedback upon loud noise exposure.