Kainic acid-induced seizure upregulates Na(+)/myo-inositol cotransporter mRNA in rat brain

A major organic osmolyte, myo-inositol protects cells from perturbing effects of high intracellular concentrations of electrolytes. Myo-inositol is accumulated into cells through Na(+)/myo-inositol cotransporter (SMIT). In order to investigate the regulation of SMIT in generalized seizure, we employed Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization to study the changes in SMIT mRNA expression in kainic acid-injected rats. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that SMIT mRNA began to increase in the brain 2 h after onset of seizure, and peaked at 12 h. In situ hybridization revealed rapid increase of SMIT mRNA (2 h of seizure) in the CA3 hippocampal pyramidal cells and in the dentate granular cells. Then, at 4-6 h SMIT mRNA expression was observed in the other limbic structure such as amygdala and piriform cortex. Finally, in neocortex and in CA1 pyramidal cells, SMIT mRNA was slowly increased and peaked at 12 h. Microautoradiogram demonstrated that cells expressed SMIT mRNA were mainly neurons. These results suggest that SMIT mRNA is upregulated by kainic acid-induced seizure primarily in structures involved in seizure activity.