Work

Modification of NMDA Receptor Channels and Synaptic Transmission by Targeted Disruption of the NR2C Gene

Year: 1996

Type: article

Abstract: A novel strain of mutant mouse has been generated with a deletion of the gene encoding the NR2C subunit of the NMDA receptor, which is primarily expressed in cerebellar granule cells. Patch-clamp recordings from granule cells in thin cerebellar slices were used to assess the consequences of the gene deletion. In granule cells of wild-type animals, a wide range of single-channel conductances were observed (19-60 pS). The disruption of the NR2C gene results in the disappearance of low-conductance NMDA receptor channels ( < 37 pS) normally expressed in granule cells during developmental maturation. The NMDA receptor-mediated synaptic current is markedly potentiated in amplitude, but abbreviated in duration (with no net difference in total charge), and the non-NMDA component of the synaptic current was reduced. We conclude that the NR2C subunit contributes to functional heteromeric NMDA receptor-subunit assemblies at the mossy fiber synapse and extrasynaptic sites during maturation, and the conductance level exhibited by a given receptor macromolecule may reflect the stochiometry of subunit composition.

Source: Journal of Neuroscience

DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.16-16-05014.1996

Authors: Alexander K. Ebralidze, David J. Rossi, Susumu Tonegawa, N. Traverse Slater

Institutions: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Northwestern University

Language: English

Topic: Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research

Subfield: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: U.S. Public Health Service, Office of Naval Research

OpenAlex ID: W2106977035