Changes in messenger RNAs coding for neurotransmitter receptors and voltage-operated channels in the developing rat cerebral cortex.
The ontogenetic development of poly(A)+ mRNAs coding for receptors to several neurotransmitters (kainate, glutamate, acetylcholine, and serotonin) and voltage-operated channels (sodium and calcium) was studied by isolating total poly(A)+ mRNA from the brains of rats at various developmental stages and injecting it into Xenopus oocytes. The oocytes translated the foreign mRNA and incorporated functional receptor/ion channel complexes into the cell membrane. Thus, recording of induced membrane currents in voltage-clamped oocytes gave a measure of the relative amounts of the different messengers. Responses induced by kainate, glutamate, acetylcholine, and serotonin all increased with age and reached a maximum in oocytes injected with mRNA from adult cortex. Messenger RNAs for the earliest ages examined, Embryonic Days 15 and 18, expressed little or no response to kainate, glutamate, or acetylcholine, while 50-70% of the adult response was reached by Postnatal Day 10. In contrast, the serotonin-induced response was already comparatively large (16% of the adult level) in oocytes injected with mRNA from Embryonic Day 15 brain and increased postnatally to adult levels. The expression of voltage-dependent sodium and calcium channels was small in oocytes injected with mRNA from embryonic animals and increased postnatally to reach a maximum in oocytes injected with mRNA from adult animals.
Department of Psychobiology, University of California, Irvine 92717.
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Miledi
D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D005260:Female; D005971:Glutamates / Q000494:pharmacology; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D007608:Kainic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D008845:Microinjections; D009865:Oocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D011061:Poly A / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter / Q000235:genetics*; D014982:Xenopus laevis
D005971:Glutamates; D007473:Ion Channels; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter; D011061:Poly A; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D007608:Kainic Acid