The K+/Cl− co-transporter KCC2 renders GABA hyperpolarizing during neuronal maturation

GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid) is the main inhibitory transmitter in the adult brain, and it exerts its fast hyperpolarizing effect through activation of anion (predominantly Cl−)-permeant GABAA receptors1. However, during early neuronal development, GABA A-receptor-mediated responses are often depolarizing2,3, which may be a key factor in the control of several Ca2+−dependent developmental phenomena, including neuronal proliferation, migration and targeting4,5,6. To date, however, the molecular mechanism underlying this shift in neuronal electrophysiological phenotype is unknown. Here we show that, in pyramidal neurons of the rat hippocampus, the ontogenetic change in GABAA-mediated responses from depolarizing to hyperpolarizing is coupled to a developmental induction of the expression of the neuronal Cl−-extruding K+/Cl− co-transporter, KCC2 (ref. 7). Antisense oligonucleotide inhibition of KCC2 expression produces a marked positive shift in the reversal potential of GABAA responses in functionally mature hippocampal pyramidal neurons. These data support the conclusion that KCC2 is the main Cl− extruder to promote fast hyperpolarizing postsynaptic inhibition in the brain.