The P2Y purinoceptor-operated potassium channel is possibly regulated by the beta gamma subunits of a pertussis toxin-insensitive G-protein in cultured rat inferior colliculus neurons.

In whole-cell patches of inferior colliculus neurons, ADP evoked outwardly rectifying potassium currents with a latency of < 1 sec via P2Y purinoceptor. These currents were blocked by GDP beta S, while not by pertussis toxin (PTX). Additionally, a selective protein kinase C inhibitor, GF109203X, or a selective phospholipase A2 inhibitor, BPB, had no effect on the currents. In outside-out patches, ADP elicited single channel currents with same slope conductances as those obtained in cell-attached patches and the currents were again blocked by GDP beta S. The results presented here indicate that the P2Y purinoceptor-operated potassium channel in inferior colliculus neurons is activated only by a plasma membrane component, most likely by a direct coupling to the beta gamma subunits of a PTX-insensitive G-protein.