title: Low expression of GluR2 AMPA receptor subunit protein by human motor neurons.
abstract: Disturbance of glutamate neurotransmission may contribute to motor neuron injury in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. There is evidence that human motor neurons may express a specific profile of glutamate receptors, with low or absent expression of mRNA for the GluR2 AMPA receptor subunit, which has a crucial role in controlling calcium permeability. This study, using an immunocytochemical approach with a GluR2 specific antibody, shows that human upper and lower motor neurons have a very low/absent expression of GluR2 protein, in contrast to many other neuronal groups. Thus, it is likely that human motor neurons express a high proportion of atypical, calcium permeable AMPA receptors which may contribute to selective vulnerability and may allow cell-specific modulation of the actions of glutamate.
authors: University Department of Neurology, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors: P J
authors: PJ
authors: Shaw
authors: T L
authors: TL
authors: Williams
authors: J Y
authors: JY
authors: Slade
authors: C J
authors: CJ
authors: Eggett
authors: P G
authors: PG
authors: Ince
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D018091:Receptors, AMPA / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D018091:Receptors, AMPA; C104722:glutamate receptor ionotropic, AMPA 2