Comparative immunohistochemical distribution of three small-conductance Ca2+-activated potassium channel subunits, SK1, SK2, and SK3 in mouse brain.

To investigate the distribution of all three SK channel subunits in the mouse central nervous system, we performed immunohistochemistry using sequence-specific antibodies directed against SK1, SK2, and SK3 proteins. Expression of SK1 and SK2 proteins revealed a partly overlapping distribution pattern restricted to a limited number of brain areas (e.g., neocortex, hippocampal formation). In contrast, SK3 immunoreactivity was rather complementary and predominantly detected in phylogenetically older brain regions like basal ganglia, thalamus, and various brain stem nuclei (e.g., locus coeruleus, tegmental nuclei). At the cellular level, SK1- and SK2-like immunoreactivity was primarily localized to somatic and dendritic structures, whereas the majority of SK3-like immunoreactivity was associated with varicose fibers.