open access

https://hdl.handle.net/2115/17164

Normal formation of the postsynaptic elements of GABAergic synapses in the reeler cerebellum

英語

Neuronal maturation

2003-11-12

Elsevier B.V.

Developmental Brain Research

145(2)

197-211

Synaptic transmission mediated by γ-amino butyric acid (GABA) plays an important role in inhibition of glutamatergic excitatory transmission and expression of higher brain functions, such as memory, learning and anxiety. To elucidate mechanisms underlying formation of the postsynaptic elements for GABAergic transmission, we employed the reeler mutant mice in this study. In the reeler cerebellum, abnormal cytoarchitecture and an aberrant environment affect the formation of neural networks and maturation of neurons. We examined the expression and localization of GABAA receptor α subunits in the reeler cerebellum and determined whether various abnormalities in the reeler mice affected formation of the postsynaptic elements. In situ hybridization analysis revealed that the specific expression of α subunit mRNAs in each neuronal type was preserved. Abnormal expression of α subunits was not detected, although GABAergic networks were altered and neuronal maturation was severely disturbed. Immunohistochemistry for the α1 and α6 subunits, which were expressed abundantly in the reeler cerebellum, revealed that both subunit proteins accumulated at positions adjacent to GABAergic terminals. These results, taken together, suggested that expression of the GABAA receptor subunits in postsynaptic neurons might be genetically determined, but trafficking and accumulation of the subunit proteins at the GABAergic synapse may be induced by GABAergic innervation.

学術雑誌論文

Accepted Manuscript

0165-3806