Different NMDA receptor subunits have been recently cloned. The present paper describes the developmental profile of expression of the NR-1 subunit and three NR-2 subunits (A, B, C) in the rat central nervous system. A sensitive RNase protection assay was employed to determine simultaneously the mRNA levels of these receptor subunits. We found low levels of NR-1 mRNA (comprising all different splicing isoforms) in newborn rats with a progressive increase of its expression in the following 2-3 weeks. NR-2 subunits can be regarded as 'modulatory' since their expression can produce differences in the properties of NMDA receptors. More than one NR-2 subunits can be expressed in the same brain region. NR-2A and NR-2C are concomitantly expressed in the cerebellum and during development their mRNAs increase with a similar profile from low levels in P-8 rats to maximal expression in P-21 animals. NR-2A and NR-2B are concomitantly expressed in several brain regions with a different ontogenetic profile. In the hippocampus NR-2B mRNA increases rapidly during the first week of life as compared to the NR-2A subunits which at this time is expressed to low levels indicating that NR-2B will probably be dominant in determining the NMDA properties during the first period of life. Our data can provide a molecular correlate with properties of NMDA receptors such as voltage dependent Mg2+ block and deactivation kinetics which undergo significant changes during development and have been shown to depend upon the NR-2 subunit co-expressed with the common NR-1 subunit in various brain regions.
Regulation of NMDA receptor subunit mRNA expression in the rat brain during postnatal development / M.A. Riva, F. Tascedda, R. Molteni, G. Racagni. - In: MOLECULAR BRAIN RESEARCH. - ISSN 0169-328X. - 25:3-4(1994), pp. 209-216.
Titolo: | Regulation of NMDA receptor subunit mRNA expression in the rat brain during postnatal development |
Autori: | RIVA, MARCO ANDREA (Primo) MOLTENI, RAFFAELLA (Penultimo) RACAGNI, GIORGIO ANGELO (Ultimo) |
Parole Chiave: | NMDA; messenger-RNA; hippocampus; ontogeny; glutamate; neurotoxicity; gene expression |
Settore Scientifico Disciplinare: | Settore BIO/14 - Farmacologia |
Data di pubblicazione: | 1994 |
Rivista: | |
Tipologia: | Article (author) |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI): | http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0169-328X(94)90155-4 |
Appare nelle tipologie: | 01 - Articolo su periodico |