2020 article
CRISPR Knockdown of Kcnq3 Attenuates the M-current in NPY/AgRP Neurons
Stincic, T. L., Bosch, M. A., Hunker, A. C., Juarez, B., Connors, A. M., Zweifel, L. S., … Kelly, M. J. (2020, May 29). [], Vol. 5.
open access via doi.org (repository)
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Source: ORCID
Added: May 22, 2024
Abstract Arcuate nucleus Neuropeptide Y/Agouti-related peptide (NPY/AgRP) neurons drive ingestive behavior in response to the internal and external environment of an organism. NPY/AgRP neurons are adjacent to the median eminence, a circumventricular organ, and circulating metabolic factors and hormones communicate the energy state of the animal via these neurons by altering the excitability of NPY/AgRP neurons, which produces an appropriate change in behavior to maintain homeostasis. One example of this plasticity is seen in the M-current, a subthreshold, non-inactivating K + current that acts to modulate excitability. Fasting decreases while estradiol increases the M-current through regulation of subunit mRNA expression of Kcnq 2, 3, & 5 . KCNQ2/3 heteromers are thought to mediate the majority of the M-current. Here we used a recently developed single adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector containing a recombinase-dependent Staphylococcus aureus Cas9 (SaCas9) and a single guide RNA against Kcnq3 to selectively delete Kcnq3 in NPY/AgRP neurons to produce a loss of function in the M-current. We found that this virus was effective at knocking down Kcnq3 but not Kcnq2 expression. With the reduced KCNQ3 channel expression NPY/AgRP neurons were more depolarized, exhibited a higher input resistance, and the rheobase current needed to induce firing was significantly reduced, indicative of increased excitability. Although the resulting decrease in the M-current did not overtly alter ingestive behavior, it did significantly reduce the locomotor activity as measured in open field testing. Therefore, the SaCas9-sgKcnq3 is efficient to knock down Kcnq3 expression thereby reducing the M-current and increasing the excitability of NPY/AgRP neurons.