Dual separable feedback systems govern firing rate homeostasis

Abstract

Firing rate homeostasis (FRH) stabilizes neural activity. A pervasive and intuitive theory argues that a single variable, calcium, is detected and stabilized through regulatory feedback. A prediction is that ion channel gene mutations with equivalent effects on neuronal excitability should invoke the same homeostatic response. In agreement, we demonstrate robust FRH following either elimination of Kv4/Shal protein or elimination of the Kv4/Shal conductance. However, the underlying homeostatic signaling mechanisms are distinct. Eliminating Shal protein invokes <i>Krüppel</i>-dependent rebalancing of ion channel gene expression including enhanced <i>slo, Shab,</i> and <i>Shaker</i>. By contrast, expression of these genes remains unchanged in animals harboring a CRISPR-engineered, <i>Shal</i> pore-blocking mutation where compensation is achieved by enhanced IK_DR. These different homeostatic processes have distinct effects on homeostatic synaptic plasticity and animal behavior. We propose that FRH includes mechanisms of proteostatic feedback that act in parallel with activity-driven feedback, with implications for the pathophysiology of human channelopathies.