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Expression of γ‐Aminobutyric Acid A Receptor Subunits in the Vestibular System
Author(s) -
Rezaee Ali,
Robinson Alan M.,
Pitovski Dimitri Z.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1097/00005537-199902000-00028
Subject(s) - vestibular system , biology , receptor , protein subunit , gene , reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction , gene expression , microbiology and biotechnology , messenger rna , genetics , neuroscience
Objectives : Profile the expression of genes encoding GABA A receptor subunits in the vestibular end organs of a rat. Materials and Methods : Using a combination of reverse transcription followed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with gene‐specific primers, expression of mRNAs encoding 13 individual GABA A A receptor subunits was examined. Results : PCR amplification products representing subunit gene expression for α1–6, β‐3, and γ1–3, but not for δ, sub‐units were amplified, suggesting multiple molecular levels of regulation of vestibular GABA A receptor expression. Nucleotide sequencing confirmed the identity of rat vestibular end‐organs subunit cDNAs. Conclusion : These results give the most direct evidence to date that GABA A receptors composed of the detected subunits are expressed in the mammalian vestibular system, giving new support to previous investigations implicating GABA as a vestibular neurotransmitter.