Alterations in neocortical expression of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor mRNAs following unilateral lesions of the rat nucleus basalis magnocellularis.
We investigated the effect of a unilateral lesion of the nucleus basalis magnocellularis (nbm) on the expression of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the rat cerebral cortex. Cortical nAChR concentration as determined by [3H]nicotine binding was unaffected by the nbm lesion. Expression levels of nAChR subunit mRNAs were measured using cDNA clones coding for the receptor subunits, alpha-3, alpha-4, and beta-2. At 1 week postlesion, expression levels of alpha-4, and beta-2 were increased by an average of 82% and 19%, respectively. On the other hand, expression levels of these mRNAs on the lesioned side 4 weeks after lesioning did not differ from those on the control side. Expression of alpha-3 was not altered by the nbm lesion. These results imply regulation of nAChR transcripts by cell to cell interactions. Co-increase of alpha-4 and beta-2 transcripts may provide supporting evidence for the occurrence of supersensitivity in deafferentated cholinergic neurons.
Miyai
I
I
Department of Neurology, Osaka University Medical School, Japan.
Ueno
S
S
Yorifuji
S
S
Fujimura
H
H
Tarui
S
S
D000818:Animals; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000502:physiology*; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase / Q000032:analysis; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D015342:DNA Probes; D008297:Male; D009525:Niacin / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000502:physiology*; D015854:Up-Regulation
D015342:DNA Probes; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic; D009525:Niacin; D004247:DNA; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase