Expression of a glial potassium channel in the developing cerebellum and impact of its genetic inactivation on neuronal cell survival

Objective: Glia cells may play a prominent role in degenerative cerebellar diseases such as Multiple System Atrophy or Spinocerebellar Ataxia. Genetic inactivation of a glial Kir channel subunit (Kir4.1, KCNJ10)) in mice leads to developmental CNS defects with ataxia and limb paralysis (Neusch et al., 2001). One important function of Kir4.1 is regulating the extracellular K+ concentration in neuronal active compartments (Neusch et al., 2005). Methods: Developmental Kir4.1 expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry in paraffin-embedded cerebellar sections at different perinatal and adult time points. Cell-sp…