Abstract
Leptin is an important circulating factor that regulates energy balance via the leptin receptor Ob-Rb1 in the hypothalamus. Ob-Rb activation may inhibit hypothalamic neurons by activating ATP-sensitive K+ channels (KATP channels)2. Here we show that leptin inhibits hippocampal neurons via phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3-kinase)–driven activation of large conductance, calcium-activated K+ channels (BK channels), but not KATP channels. This may be an important mechanism for regulating hippocampal excitability.
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Acknowledgements
This work is supported by The Wellcome Trust (grant nos. 055291 & 042726). J.H. is a Wellcome RCD Fellow.
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Shanley, L., Irving, A., Rae, M. et al. Leptin inhibits rat hippocampal neurons via activation of large conductance calcium-activated K+ channels. Nat Neurosci 5, 299–300 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/nn824
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nn824