Aging-related subunit expression changes of the GABA(A) receptor in the rat hippocampus (original) (raw)

Aging-related changes in the subunit expression of some hippocampal GABA A receptors have been found. Quantitative in situ hybridization has revealed that 1 subunit messenger RNA expression was significantly increased in the hippocampus (34%) of old rats. The largest increases were observed in the dentate gyrus (76%) and in the CA1 field (30%). Quantitative immunocytochemistry also showed increased protein expression of the 1 subunit in the dentate gyrus (19%) and CA1 (14%) of old rats. The increased 1 messenger RNA and protein expression led to increased proportions of assembled GABA A receptors that contained 1 subunits, as revealed by quantitative immunoprecipitation of ( 3 H)flunitrazepam and ( 3 H)muscimol binding. In contrast, there were no significant changes in the expression of 2 , 3 and total 2 ( 2S + 2L ) subunits, although a slightly increased expression of 2L peptide was detected in the hippocampus proper (7%), but not in the dentate gyrus.

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