[Effect of lead on energy metabolism, protein and mRNA expressions of GluR2 in postnatal rat hippocampal neurons in culture].
OBJECTIVE
The mechanism of the effect of lead on Ca2+ homeostasis in neurons which is much concerned to lead poisoning was studied.


METHODS
In the present study, incubation of postnatal rat hippocampal neurons in culture with lead at 500 micrograms/L(medium) was carried out to have knowledge of the effect of lead on energy metabolism, protein and mRNA expression of glutamate receptor2(GluR2) which is Ca(2+)-impermeable subunit of AMPA subtype of glutamate receptors in neurons.


RESULTS
The results of cytochemistry, immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization showed a significant down-regulation of cytochrome oxidase activity, GluR2 immunoreactivity as well as GluR2 mRNA statement after 3 days of lead treatment(P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
By affecting the common transcriptional factor in neurons, lead could in the one hand decrease cytochrome oxidase activity to decrease the energy metabolism and down-regulate the expression of protein and mRNA of GluR2 to induce intracellular Ca2+ overload in the other hand.
Bai
Xuetao
X
National Institute of Environmental Health and Related Product Safety, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China.
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D007854:Lead / Q000633:toxicity*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D018091:Receptors, AMPA / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics
D011506:Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018091:Receptors, AMPA; D007854:Lead; C104722:glutamate receptor ionotropic, AMPA 2; D002118:Calcium