ISSN:
1435-1463
Keywords:
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor
;
nucleus basalis magnocellularis
;
mRNA
;
[3H]nicotine binding
;
choline acetyltransferase
;
Alzheimer's disease
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary We investigated the effect of a unilateral lesion of the nucleus basalis magnocellularis (nbm) on the expression of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the rat cerebral cortex. Cortical nAChR concentration as determined by [3H]nicotine binding was unaffected by the nbm lesion. Expression levels of nAChR subunit mRNAs were measured using cDNA clones coding for the receptor subunits, alpha-3, alpha-4, and beta-2. At 1 week postlesion, expression levels of alpha-4, and beta-2 were increased by an average of 82% and 19%, respectively. On the other hand, expression levels of these mRNAs on the lesioned side 4 weeks after lesioning did not differ from those on the control side. Expression of alpha-3 was not altered by the nbm lesion. These results imply regulation of nAChR transcripts by cell to cell interactions. Coincrease of alpha-4 and beta-2 transcripts may provide supporting evidence for the occurrence of supersensitivity in deafferentated cholinergic neurons.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01245165
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