Work

The HCN4 channel modulates external tufted cell burst firing

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: External tufted cells in olfactory bulb are pacemaker neurons that fire rhythmic bursts. This study demonstrates that the pacemaker action of external tufted cells is critically dependent on I h from HCN4 channel providing feedforward excitation to generate long-lasting depolarizations in the mitral cells. Since mitral/tufted cells play important roles in odor discrimination and olfactory learning, we speculate that HCN4 is a key regulatory channel in driving overall network activity and function of the olfactory bulb.

Source: Journal of Neurophysiology

DOI: 10.1152/jn.00194.2026

Authors: Adam C. Puche, Fu-Wen Zhou

Institutions: University of Maryland, Baltimore, University of Maryland School of Medicine

Language: English

Topic: Ion channel regulation and function

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: National Institute on Aging, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

Awards: G3538051530, G4122961183, G8352296635