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Distinct patterns of expression and regulation of GABA A receptors containing the δ subunit in cerebellar granule and hippocampal neurons
Author(s) -
Follesa Paolo,
Mostallino Maria Cristina,
Biggio Francesca,
Gorini Giorgio,
Caria Stefania,
Busonero Fabio,
Murru Luca,
Mura Maria Luisa,
Sanna Enrico,
Biggio Giovanni
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of neurochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.75
H-Index - 229
eISSN - 1471-4159
pISSN - 0022-3042
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2005.03303.x
Subject(s) - hippocampal formation , cerebellum , protein subunit , neuroscience , biology , granule cell , gabaa receptor , neurotransmitter , synaptic plasticity , receptor , microbiology and biotechnology , central nervous system , biochemistry , gene , dentate gyrus
Neuronal plasticity is achieved by regulation of the expression of genes for neurotransmitter receptors such as the type A receptor (GABA A R) for γ‐aminobutyric acid. We now show that two different rat neuronal populations in culture manifest distinct patterns of GABA A R plasticity in response to identical stimuli. Whereas prolonged exposure to ethanol had no effect on expression of the δ subunit of GABA A Rs at the mRNA or protein level in cerebellar granule neurons, it increased the abundance of δ subunit mRNA and protein in hippocampal neurons. Subsequent ethanol withdrawal transiently down‐regulated δ subunit expression in cerebellar granule neurons and gradually normalized that in hippocampal neurons. These effects of ethanol exposure and withdrawal were accompanied by corresponding functional changes in GABA A Rs. GABA A Rs containing the δ subunit were also distributed differentially in the cerebellar and hippocampal neurons. These findings reveal complex and distinct mechanisms of regulation of the expression of GABA A Rs that contain the δ subunit in different neuronal types.