DIVERSITY AND FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OF CALCIUM-DEPENDENT POTASSIUM CHANNELS AS DETERMINANTS OF THEIR ROLE IN PLASTICITY OF CENTRAL NEURONS
Opening of potassium channels evokes hyperpolarization and plays a critical role in regulation of neuronal excitability. Some types of potassium channels, so-called calcium-dependent channels are capable to open at elevated levels of intracellular calcium or are modulated by calcium. It allows them react with a delay to neuronal activation if it produces a significant elevation of intracellular calcium. These characteristics of calcium-dependent potassium channels are tightly linked to their specific functions and conditions of their activation. In this review, we analyze data concerning calcium-dependent potassium channels and their functional significance underlying short-term plasticity limiting the neuronal excitability. In addition, we consider epigenetic mechanisms of regulation of expression of calcium-dependent potassium channels’ genes as a mechanism of long-term plasticity and acquisition of long-term memory.