Modulation of the levels of NMDA receptor subunit mRNA and the bindings of [3H]MK-801 in rat brain by chronic infusion of subtoxic dose of MK-801

Seikwan Oh, Young Hwa Kim, Hoo Jae Hann, Hee Lai Lee, Hong Serck Choi, Hack Seang Kim, Ing Kang Ho

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

The effects of continuous infusion of NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 on the modulation of NMDA receptor subunits NR1, NR2A, NR2B, and NR2C were investigated by using in situ hybridization study. Differential assembly of NMDA receptor subunits determines their functional characteristics. Continuous intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusion with MK-801 (1 pmol/ 10 μl/h) for 7 days resulted in significant modulations in the NR1, NR2A, and NR2B mRNA levels without producing stereotypic motor syndromes. The levels of NR1 mRNA were significantly increased (9-20%) in the cerebral cortex, striatum, septum, and CA1 of hippocampus in MK-801-infused rats. The levels of NR2A mRNA were significantly decreased (11-16%) in the CA3 and dentate gyms of hippocampus in MK-801-infused rats. In contrast to NR2A, NR2B subunit mRNA levels were increased (10-14%) in the cerebral cortex, caudate putamen, and thalamus. However, no changes of NR2C subunits in cerebellar granule layer were observed. Using quantitative ligand autoradiography, the binding of NMDA receptor ligand [3H]MK-801 was increased (12-25%) significantly in almost all brain regions except in the thalamus and cerebellum after 7 days infusion with MK-801. These results suggest that region-specific changes of NMDA receptor subunit mRNA and [3H]MK-801 binding are involved in the MK-801-infused adult rats.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)559-565
Number of pages7
JournalNeurochemical Research
Volume26
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 2001

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This study was supported by the grant (99-229) from the Ewha Womans University Promotion Fund (1999).

Keywords

  • Autoradiography
  • In situ hybridization
  • MK-801
  • NMDA receptor
  • Osmotic pump

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