title: Diminished prevalence but preserved synaptic distribution of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunits in the methyl CpG binding protein 2(MeCP2)-null mouse brain.
abstract: In this study, we examined the prevalence and distribution of NMDA receptor subunits within crude synaptic membranes derived from the brains of mice lacking methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2). Our results show that the distribution of NMDA receptor subunits within the detergent soluble, detergent resistant, and postsynaptic density microdomains is preserved at MeCP2-null synapses. However, analysis of the NMDA receptor subunit expression revealed a decrease in the prevalence of the GluN1 and GluN2A subunits in MeCP2-null tissue. Collectively, these results indicate that synaptic membrane microdomains at synapses of the MeCP2-null brain develop normally, and that NMDA receptor subunits are properly targeted and distributed within them. The under-representation of the GluN1 and GluN2A subunits suggests that MeCP2-null synapses contain fewer mature NMDA receptor complexes, and raises the possibility that impaired NMDA receptor ontogeny could contribute to Rett syndrome pathophysiology.
authors.affiliation: Division of Genetics and Development, Toronto Western Research Institute, University Health Network, 399 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON M5T 2S8, Canada.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Maliszewska-Cyna
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bawa
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Eubanks
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D003902:Detergents / Q000494:pharmacology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D021962:Membrane Microdomains / Q000378:metabolism; D051783:Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2 / Q000235:genetics*; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000378:metabolism; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000378:metabolism*; D012995:Solubility; D013569:Synapses / Q000378:metabolism*; D013570:Synaptic Membranes / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D003902:Detergents; D051783:Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2; D021122:Protein Subunits; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate