KCNQ1 and KCNQ4 voltage-gated potassium channel subunits play key roles in hearing. Other members of the KCNQ family also encode slow, low voltage-activated K⁺ M currents. We have previously reported the presence of M-like K⁺ currents in sensory hair cells, and expression of Kcnq family genes in the cochlea. Here, we describe Kcnq2/3 gene expression and distribution of M channel subunits KCNQ2 and 3 in the cochlea. By using RT-PCR, we found expression of Kcnq2 in the modiolus and organ of Corti, while Kcnq3 expression was also detected in the cochlear lateral wall. Five alternative splice variants of the Kcnq2 gene, one of which has not been reported previously, were identified in the rat cochlea. KCNQ2 and KCNQ3 immunoreactivities were observed in spiral ganglion auditory neurons. In addition, the unmyelinated parts of the nerve fibers innervating hair cells and synaptic regions under hair cells showed KCNQ2 immunoreactivity. KCNQ3 immunoreactivity was also prominent in spiral ganglion satellite cells. These findings suggest that cochlear M channels play important roles in regulation of cellular excitability and maintenance of cochlear K⁺ homeostasis in the auditory system.

All members of the Kcnq family were expressed in guinea pig and rat cochlea. Cochlear expression of Kcnq2 exhibited two alternatively spliced forms, lacking exons 8, 15a, and 8, 12a, 15a, respectively. Novel molecular sequence data, e.g. guinea pig Kcnq cDNA sequences, were deposited in GenBank (AY684985-AY684990).

The heavy metal mercury (Hg 2 + ) is an insidious environmental pollutant that causes toxic effects on sensory systems. It is well known that the group IIB divalent cation Hg 2 + is an inhibitor of the group I monovalent potassium (K + ) cation pore-forming channel in several biological preparations. Here, we used the whole cell patch clamp technique on freshly isolated outer hair cells (OHCs) of the guinea pig cochlea to record outward K + currents and inward K + currents treated with mercuric chloride (HgCl 2 ). HgCl 2 affected K + currents in a voltage-and dose-dependent manner. The effects of HgCl 2 at 1.0 -100 mM are more pronounced on onset peak current than on steady-state end current. HgCl 2 depolarized also the resting membrane potential. Although the effect of HgCl 2 at 1.0 mM was partially washed out over several minutes, the effects at 10 and 100 mM were irreversible to washout. Since K + channels of OHCs are targets for HgCl 2 ototoxicity, this may lead to auditory transduction problems, including a loss in hearing sensitivity. A better understanding of fundamental mechanisms underlying K + channelopathies in OHCs due to HgCl 2 poisoning may lead to better preventive or therapeutic agents. D