title: Lesion-induced changes in NMDA receptor subunit mRNA expression in rat visual cortex.
abstract: Focal lesions in the visual cortex are well known to induce pronounced perilesional reorganization of the neuronal circuitry. Since NMDA receptors crucially control synaptic plasticity and reorganization, we studied lesion-induced changes in their subunit expression and biophysical properties. Between 8 and 10 days after focal thermolesioning, pyramidal neurones in the near surround of the lesion were studied in acute brain slices. We found a significant decrease in the ratio of NR2A and NR2B subunit mRNA as compared to neurones from sham operated animals. Interestingly, no significant differences in the properties of NMDA receptor-mediated postsynaptic currents (NMDA PSCs) were observed between lesioned and sham operated animals. Thus, the observed perilesional changes in the NR2A/NR2B mRNA ratio appear to be subthreshold to result in significant changes in the functional properties of NMDA receptors.
authors.affiliation: Lehrstuhl für Zellphysiologie, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Germany.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rumpel
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hatt
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gottmann
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mittmann
authors.forename: U T
authors.initials: UT
authors.lastname: Eysel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003714:Denervation / Q000009:adverse effects; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D017966:Pyramidal Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D014793:Visual Cortex / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: C120997:NR2A NMDA receptor; C121001:NR2B NMDA receptor; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate