Glutamic acid decarboxylase mRNA in rat brain: regional distribution and effects of intrastriatal kainic acid

Yong Sik Kim, John W. Thomas, Niranjala J.K. Tillakaratne, Pascale Montpied, Peter D. Suzdak, Carl Banner, Edward Ginns, Allan J. Tobin, Steven M. Paul

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Scopus citations

Abstract

Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) mRNA was quantified in different regions of rat brain using an antisense RNA probe (riboprobe) prepared from a cloned feline cDNA. In all brain regions studied a single band of GAD mRNA of approximately 3.7 kb was detected. The level of GAD mRNA was highest in the cerebellum, followed by the hypothalamus > thalamus > striatum > hippocampus > frontal cortex = parietal cortex ≥ medulla = pons. Since GAD has been previously localized to intrinsic neurons of the striatum, we examined the effects of intrastriatal kainic acid administration on striatal GAD mRNA. The level of GAD mRNA in the kainic acid-lesioned striatum was reduced by 70-75% when compared to the contralateral (unlesioned) striatum. In contrast, the level of glutamine synthetase (an enzyme localized to glia) mRNA was increased approximately 290% in the kainic acid-lesioned striatum. There were no significant differences in GAD mRNA levels between the ipsilateral and contralateral cerebral cortices and hippocampi of rats injected with intrastriatal kainic acid.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)77-82
Number of pages6
JournalMolecular Brain Research
Volume3
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1987

Keywords

  • Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD)
  • Glutamine synthetase (GS)
  • Kainic acid
  • Messenger RNA (mRNA)
  • Regional distribution

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Glutamic acid decarboxylase mRNA in rat brain: regional distribution and effects of intrastriatal kainic acid'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this