The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor pathway is involved in hypoxia-induced c-Fos protein expression in the rat nucleus of the solitary tract.
Immediate early genes, like c-fos, are believed to be involved in triggering the expression of other genes such as those involved in the synthesis of neurochemicals. Exposure of unanesthetized rats to oxygen deprivation induces activation of the c-fos gene within the nucleus tractus solitarius, resulting in expression of fos-like immunoreactive protein (Fos). Prior administration of MK-801, a nonselective antagonist of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-sensitive glutamate receptor (1 or 2 mg/kg), significantly attenuated but did not completely block hypoxia-induced Fos expression. However, blockade of muscarinic receptors by atropine sulfate (2, 10 or 25 mg/kg) had no measurable effects on Fos expression induced by oxygen deprivation. These results suggest that an NMDA receptor signalling pathway is partly involved in programming the expression of early response genes that regulate various aspects of the response to oxygen deprivation.
Haxhiu
M A
MA
Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA. mah10@po.cwru.edu
Strohl
K P
KP
Cherniack
N S
NS
D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D002346:Carotid Sinus / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology; D018846:Excitatory Amino Acids / Q000502:physiology; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D016760:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000502:physiology*; D017552:Solitary Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology
D018846:Excitatory Amino Acids; D016760:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D000109:Acetylcholine