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AMPA‐selective glutamate receptor subunits in the rat hippocampus during aging
Author(s) -
Nicoletti V. G.,
Condorelli D. F.,
Dell'Albani P.,
Ragusa N.,
Stella Anna Maria Giuffrida
Publication year - 1995
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.490400210
Subject(s) - ampa receptor , glutamate receptor , receptor , protein subunit , hippocampus , nmda receptor , chemistry , messenger rna , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , biology , medicine , endocrinology , gene
The levels of mRNAs for the subunits of α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazole propionate (AMPA)‐selective glutamate receptors (GluR‐1, ‐2, ‐3, ‐4) in the rat hippocampus during aging were measured by Northern blotting. The distribution of these receptors was also examined at the protein level by immunoblotting using antibodies to GluR‐1 and to an epitope common to GluR‐2 and GluR‐3 (denoted GluR‐2/3). During aging a significant decrease of GluR‐1 protein, but no change in the corresponding mRNA level, was observed. No differences in the level of GluR‐2/3 protein and GluR‐2, ‐3, and ‐4 mRNAs at the various ages examined (4, 12, and 24 months) were detected. Our results show that AMPA receptors are only slightly influenced by the aging process in the rat hippocampus. The slight decrease in GluR‐1 protein content, not accompanied by a parallel decrease in the GluR‐1 mRNA level, might be explained by a decreased translational efficiency or an increased protein degradation of the GluR‐1 subunit. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.