Unique levels of expression of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunits and neuronal nitric oxide synthase in the rostral ventrolateral medulla of the spontaneously hypertensive rat.
The rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) is the major brainstem region contributing to sympathetic control of blood pressure. We have compared the expression of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunits (NR1, NR2A-D), NR1 splice variants (NR1-1a/1b, -2a/2b, -3a/3b, -4a/4b), and the neuronal and inducible isoforms of NO synthase (nNOS and iNOS) in the RVLM of Wistar Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), based on the hypothesis that altered NMDA receptor make-up or altered expression of endogenous NO may be associated with the increase in sympathetic output described from this site in hypertension. Total RNA was extracted and reverse transcribed from the RVLM of mature male WKY and SHR (16-23 weeks). Conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) indicated that only the NR1 splice variants NR1-2a, NR1-2b, NR1-4a and NR1-4b were expressed in the RVLM of either species. Quantitative real-time PCR indicated that for both strains of rat, mRNA for the NR1 subunit (all splice variants) was the most abundant (16.5-fold greater, P< or =0.05, relative to the NR2A subunit). Amongst the NR2A-D subunits, NR2C was the most abundant (7- and 1.7-fold greater relative to the NR2A subunit, P< or =0.05, WKY and SHR, respectively). Relative to WKY, mRNA levels for the NR2C and NR2D subunits in the SHR RVLM were significantly lower (0.3- and 0.25-fold less, P< or =0.05), while nNOS was significantly higher (1.76-fold greater, P< or =0.05). This was confirmed immunohistochemically for nNOS expression. These results demonstrate differential expression levels of NMDA receptor subunits and NOS isoforms in the RVLM region of SHR when compared to WKY rats.
Edwards
Mark A
MA
Division of Health Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, Australia.
Loxley
Rhonda A
RA
Powers-Martin
Kellysan
K
Lipski
Janusz
J
McKitrick
Douglas J
DJ
Arnolda
Leonard F
LF
Phillips
Jacqueline K
JK
D017398:Alternative Splicing; D000818:Animals; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006973:Hypertension / Q000378:metabolism*; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008526:Medulla Oblongata / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011918:Rats, Inbred SHR; D011921:Rats, Inbred WKY; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D007527:Isoenzymes; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D021122:Protein Subunits; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I; C496322:Nos1 protein, rat