Prenatal expressions of hyperpolarization-activated cyclic-nucleotide-gated channel (HCN) genes in dysplastic hippocampi in rats.
OBJECTIVE
Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN or h-channel) channels mediate hyperpolarization-activating currents in the hippocampus and neocortex. The aim of this study is to present prenatal h-channel gene expressions (HCN1 and HCN2; HCN1-Entrez-Gene ID: 84390; HCN2- Entrez Gene ID: 114244) in dysplastic hippocampal pyramidal neurons induced by in utero irradiation in rats.


METHODS
Time-pregnant Wistar albino rats were irradiated and the dysplastic hippocampus in their 2 month-old litters was studied. Gene expression was studied by RNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction methods.


RESULTS
None of the rats showed seizure activity. mRNA levels of HCN1 and HCN2 genes were decreased especially in the CA1 and CA3 pyramidal neurons in the hippocampi of experimental rats; however, the differences were not significant compared to controls. In CA2, mRNA levels of both genes were increased and this rise did not reach significant level. The CA4 sub-region showed a different pattern of expression: HCN1 increased but HCN2 decreased insignificantly compared to controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results demonstrated that dysplastic neurons showed decreased levels of mRNA expression of HCN1 and HCN2 genes, in particularly CA1 and CA3 pyramidal neurons. The rationale for how these changes contribute to epileptogenesis in dysplastic tissues still requires further studies.
Işler
Cihan
C
Department of Neurosurgery, Bagcilar Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
Tanriverdi
Taner
T
Kavak
Ersen
E
Sanus
Galip Zihni
GZ
Ulu
Mustafa Onur
MO
Erkanli
Gözde
G
Koman
Ahmet
A
Iyison
Necla Birgül
NB
Uzan
Mustafa
M
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D054815:Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Cation Channels / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D064428:Hyperpolarization-Activated Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Channels; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D011247:Pregnancy; D017966:Pyramidal Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D012313:RNA / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D011833:Radiation Injuries, Experimental / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D054815:Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Cation Channels; D018076:DNA, Complementary; C578667:Hcn1 protein, rat; D064428:Hyperpolarization-Activated Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Channels; D015221:Potassium Channels; D012313:RNA