Kv2.1 expression in giant reticular neurons of the postnatal mouse brain

•Action potentials increase in nucleus gigantocellularis (NGC) neurons from P3 to P6.•Kv2.1 in NGC neurons important for action potentials and thus for CNS arousal.•Kv2.1 expression in NGC neurons increases from P3 to P6.•Kv2.1 is on the plasmalemmal surface of NGC neurons.•Expression is correlated with action potential trains and thus with arousal.