Excitotoxin lesion of nucleus basalis causes a specific decrease in Go mRNA in cerebral cortex. Sensitivity to MK-801.
Lesions of the ascending cholinergic pathway from nucleus basalis are known to have profound effects on cortical function. In particular, a substantial potentiation of carbachol-stimulated polyphosphoinositide turnover is detected from 1 day after lesion and is maintained for several days before returning to normal by 1 month. In this study the effect of this lesion was investigated on levels of three G-protein alpha-subunit mRNAs. Excitotoxin lesion of the nucleus basalis caused a selective reduction in the levels of Go alpha mRNA in cerebral cortex ipsilateral to the lesion, Gs alpha and Gi alpha mRNA being unaffected. The maximal effect was obtained at 3 days after lesion where levels of Go alpha mRNA were decreased by 40% compared to sham-operated animals. Levels of Go alpha mRNA returned to normal values by 28 days. Treatment with MK-801 caused a significant attenuation of the decrease in Go alpha mRNA, indicating the involvement of NMDA receptors in this response.
Wood
H
H
Department of Biochemistry, Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School, London, UK.
de Belleroche
J
J
D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000494:pharmacology; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D016291:Dizocilpine Maleate / Q000494:pharmacology; D007839:Functional Laterality; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D007608:Kainic Acid / Q000633:toxicity*; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012016:Reference Values; D013997:Time Factors
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016291:Dizocilpine Maleate; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins; D007608:Kainic Acid