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Development and localisation of GABA A receptor α 1 , α 2 , β 2 and γ 2 subunit mRNA in the chick optic tectum
Author(s) -
Rodríguez Gil Diego J.,
Vacotto Marina,
Rapacioli Melina,
Scicolone Gabriel,
Flores Vladimir,
Fiszer de Plazas Sara
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of neuroscience research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.72
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1097-4547
pISSN - 0360-4012
DOI - 10.1002/jnr.20579
Subject(s) - protein subunit , biology , tectum , gabaa receptor , optic tectum , neuroscience , messenger rna , receptor , microbiology and biotechnology , gabaa rho receptor , neurotransmitter receptor , central nervous system , genetics , gene , midbrain
An in situ hybridisation technique was used to analyse the spatial and temporal pattern of expression of the mRNA encoding the four γ‐aminobutyric acid A (GABA A ) receptor subunits (α 1 , α 2 , β 2 , and γ 2 ) in the developing chick optic tectum. As a rule, layer i, layer h, and transient cell compartment 3 (TCC3) show the highest levels of expression, especially of α 1 , α 2 and β 2 , which undergo striking changes as a function of time. Apart from these common features, the global pattern is highly complex and dynamic. Such complexity derives from the fact that each subunit exhibits a characteristically distinct pattern of expression and the temporal evolution of each differs in the different layers of the tectum. The influence of several developmental cell behaviours such as proliferation, neuronal migration, programmed cell death, and differentiation must be taken into account to understand pattern complexity and dynamics. Our results suggest that differences in the rate of subunit expression, particularly of α 1 , α 2 , and β 2 , could have significant consequences on GABA A receptor complex subunit composition along development and on the functional properties of the GABA neurotransmitter system. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.