title: Modulation of the levels of NMDA receptor subunit mRNA and the bindings of [3H]MK-801 in rat brain by chronic infusion of subtoxic dose of MK-801.
abstract: The effects of continuous infusion of NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 on the modulation of NMDA receptor subunits NR1, NR2A, NR2B, and NR2C were investigated by using in situ hybridization study. Differential assembly of NMDA receptor subunits determines their functional characteristics. Continuous intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusion with MK-801 (1 pmol/10 microl/h) for 7 days resulted in significant modulations in the NR1, NR2A, and NR2B mRNA levels without producing stereotypic motor syndromes. The levels of NR1 mRNA were significantly increased (9-20%) in the cerebral cortex, striatum, septum, and CA1 of hippocampus in MK-801-infused rats. The levels of NR2A mRNA were significantly decreased (11-16%) in the CA3 and dentate gyrus of hippocampus in MK-801-infused rats. In contrast to NR2A, NR2B subunit mRNA levels were increased (10-14%) in the cerebral cortex, caudate putamen, and thalamus. However, no changes of NR2C subunits in cerebellar granule layer were observed. Using quantitative ligand autoradiography, the binding of NMDA receptor ligand [3H]MK-801 was increased (12-25%) significantly in almost all brain regions except in the thalamus and cerebellum after 7 days infusion with MK-801. These results suggest that region-specific changes of NMDA receptor subunit mRNA and [3H]MK-801 binding are involved in the MK-801-infused adult rats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Medical Research Center, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea. skoh@mm.ewha.ac.kr
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: Y H
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Hann
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: I K
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Ho
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016291:Dizocilpine Maleate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014316:Tritium
chemical_list: D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D014316:Tritium; D016291:Dizocilpine Maleate