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Developmental changes in subcellular AMPA/GluR receptor populations in rat forebrain
S Standley1, N Wagle, M Baudry
1Neuroscience Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-2520, USA. sstandle@hbpmb.usc.edu
Brain Research. Developmental Brain Research
|June 24, 1998
Summary
This study shows that glutamate receptor (GluR) levels in different brain compartments change during rat development. These changes correlate with receptor binding and suggest roles in synaptic plasticity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Glutamate receptors, specifically AMPA/GluR receptors, are crucial for synaptic transmission and plasticity.
- Understanding the developmental trajectory of these receptors is essential for comprehending brain maturation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the developmental changes in GluR1 and GluR2/3 subunits of AMPA/GluR receptors in different subcellular fractions of the rat forebrain.
- To correlate these changes with AMPA binding affinities during postnatal development.
Main Methods:
- Subcellular fractionation of rat forebrains at various postnatal days (PND).
- SDS-PAGE and Western blotting to quantify GluR subunit expression in mitochondrial (P2) and microsomal (P3) fractions.
- Comparison with existing data on 3H-AMPA binding.
Main Results:
- GluR immunoreactivity in P2 fractions (synaptic plasma membranes) showed a gradual increase from PND 2 to PND 30.
- GluR immunoreactivity in P3 fractions exhibited a sharp increase early in postnatal development, exceeding adult levels by PND 7.
- Significant correlations were found between GluR levels in P3 fractions and high-affinity AMPA binding, and between P2 fractions and low-affinity binding.
Conclusions:
- Glutamate receptors in distinct subcellular compartments represent different maturational states.
- Developmental changes in GluR populations likely contribute to mechanisms of synaptic plasticity.