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Differential laminar expression of AMPA receptor genes in the developing rat visual cortex using in situ hybridization histochemistry. Effect of visual deprivation
Author(s) -
Roβner Steffen,
Kumar Ashok,
Kues Wilfried,
Witzemann Veit,
Schliebs Reinhard
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
international journal of developmental neuroscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.761
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 1873-474X
pISSN - 0736-5748
DOI - 10.1016/0736-5748(93)90015-6
Subject(s) - ampa receptor , in situ hybridization , biology , visual cortex , neuroscience , cortex (anatomy) , microbiology and biotechnology , receptor , endocrinology , medicine , gene expression , glutamate receptor , gene , genetics
The postnatal development of laminar pattern of AMPA receptor mRNA subtypes GluR‐A through to GluR‐D (flip variants) in the visual cortex of both normally raised and monocularly deprived rats (one eyelid sutured at the age of 11 days) was studied using in situ hybridization histochemistry and computer‐assisted image analysis. The AMPA receptors GluR‐A through to GluR‐D transcripts exhibit a differential laminar expression pattern in the developing rat visual cortex. At birth the levels of GluR‐A transcripts are lower by about 50% in each visual cortical layer as compared to the adult values. In contrast, GluR‐B to GluR‐D mRNAs are expressed in all cases at higher levels at birth than in the adult brain. Unilateral eyelid closure at postnatal day 11 for several periods of time resulted in both transient and permanent changes in the laminar development of GluR‐A through to GluR‐C transcripts but hardly affected the GluR‐D mRNA subtype. The distinct laminar developmental pattern of AMPA receptor mRNAs in rat visual cortex as well as the differential effects of visual deprivation suggest specific roles of AMPA receptor subtypes during the early postnatal maturation of visual function.