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Gender and age dependent differences in the renal NMDA receptor
Author(s) -
Mandler Laura,
Munger Karen A
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.23.1_supplement.1013.2
Subject(s) - nmda receptor , medicine , receptor , glutamate receptor , endocrinology , western blot , renal function , kidney , immunohistochemistry , biology , biochemistry , gene
NMDA is a "glutamate" receptor found throughout the brain. We have previously reported functional n‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptors in rat kidney (J. Am Soc Neph 13:1381, 2002). These calcium channel receptors are independent of renal innervation. NMDA is required for glycine‐induced increase in glomerular filtration rate and renal plasma flow, and also for the increases in oxygen consumption and proximal tubule sodium transport. In this study, we investigated age and gender differences of the various NMDA receptor subtypes in the rat kidney. We measured subtypes, NR1, NR2A‐D, and NR3A‐B in rat kidneys by Western blot (when antibody available) and by RT‐PCR. In addition we looked at NMDA receptor expression in fixed kidney using immunohistochemistry. Results: We found varied amounts of receptor subtypes expression by RT‐PCR and Western Blot. Specifically, we found the NR2A subunit to be significantly lower in female rats compared to males, and gender and age differences in histological expression of NMDA subtypes. This is in agreement with studies finding gender differences in location of the NR2A subunit in the rat brain, and changes in NMDA subtype expression during brain development. These studies reiterate the importance of the renal NMDA receptors and point to another gender‐dependent difference in renal function. Funded by NIH NIDDK RO‐1 DK 62831.