Figure 8
Over-expression of eve in the RPs results in altered electrical properties that differ from the effects seen in aCC/RP2. (A) In comparison to aCC/RP2, the RP motoneurons (RP1, 3, 4 and 5) exhibit decreased peak conductance in INa (-19.16 ± 1.09 versus -23.36 ± 1.59 pA/pF, *p ≤ 0.05), IKfast (54.1 ± 2.78 versus 78.57 ± 3.96 pA/pF, *p ≤ 0.01) and IKslow (34.7 ± 2.05 versus 48.3 ± 3.5 pA/pF, *p ≤ 0.05), but show no difference in ICa (-17.35 ± 2.53 versus -15.72 ± 1.59 pA/pF, p > 0.05). All values are mean ± SE, with INa n = 11, ICa n = 7, IKfast n = 10, IKslow n = 7. (B) Ectopic expression of eve in the RPs is sufficient to increase INa (-19.2 ± 1.09 versus -23.2 ± 1.60 pA/pF, *p ≤ 0.05), ICa (-17.35 ± 2.53 versus -28.4 ± 1.81 pA/pF, **p ≤ 0.01) and IKslow (34.7 ± 2.05 versus 49.2 ± 5.75 pA/pF, *p ≤ 0.05) but did not change Ikfast (54.1 ± 2.78 versus 57.6 ± 3.95 pA/pF). (C) Expression of eve in the RPs results in an increase in membrane excitability (18.5 ± 0.98 versus 23.75 ± 0.99, action potentials fired, 10 pA/500 ms, **p ≤ 0.01) and (D) a decrease in amplitude of action potential-dependent synaptic currents (93.25 ± 2.0 versus 74.08 ± 0.06 pA, ***p ≤ 0.001). All values are mean ± SE, with INa n = 9, ICa n = 7, IKfast n = 10, IKslow n = 7, membrane excitability n = 8, synaptic input n = 10 cells.