N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit mRNA expression in human retinal ganglion cells.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the expression of mRNA coding for different N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NR) subunits in the human retina.


METHODS
In five human eyes the distribution of NR subunit mRNA was determined by in situ hybridization using 35S-labeled cRNA probes. In 100 consecutive retinal ganglion cells of each eye the level of mRNA expression of the different NR subunits was qualitatively graded.


RESULTS
Ninety-three percent of retinal ganglion cells expressed mRNA coding for NR1, 9% for NR2A, 28% for NR2B, 86% for NR2C, and 84% for NR2D. The pattern of expression did not vary among the five eyes.


CONCLUSIONS
These data establish distinct expression profiles of NR subunits in human retinal ganglion cells and suggest the development of specific NR ligands to reduce excitotoxic retinal ganglion cell loss.
Lagrèze
W A
WA
Department of Ophthalmology, Albert-Ludwigs Universität Freiburg, Germany. lagreze@ukl.uni-freiburg.de
Darstein
M
M
Feuerstein
T J
TJ
Otto
T
T
Landwehrmeyer
G B
GB
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001345:Autoradiography; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008875:Middle Aged; D015347:RNA Probes; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure
D015347:RNA Probes; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate