Expression of NMDA channels on cerebellar Purkinje cells acutely dissociated from newborn rats.
1. Conflicting evidence exists concerning the expression and properties of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors on cerebellar Purkinje cells during development. We used whole-cell and single-channel recording to examine NMDA receptors on acutely dissociated Purkinje cells from newborn rats (postnatal day 0-4). 2. NMDA channels were present on > 80% of identified Purkinje cells and had pharmacological and single-channel properties that were indistinguishable from NMDA receptors on other neurons. In particular, responses were glycine-dependent and Mg2+ produced flickery open-channel block. 3. Our results demonstrate the transient expression of NMDA receptor/channels on Purkinje cells early in development. As NMDA receptors have been implicated in developmental plasticity in other regions of the CNS, a similar role is feasible during climbing fiber innervation of Purkinje cells.
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000378:metabolism*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D007608:Kainic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D016202:N-Methylaspartate / Q000378:metabolism*; D011689:Purkinje Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000187:drug effects
D007473:Ion Channels; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D016202:N-Methylaspartate; D007608:Kainic Acid