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Carles A, Freyssin A, Perin-Dureau F, Rubinstenn G, Maurice T. Targeting N-Methyl-d-Aspartate Receptors in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3733. [PMID: 38612544 PMCID: PMC11011887 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) are the main class of ionotropic receptors for the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate. They play a crucial role in the permeability of Ca2+ ions and excitatory neurotransmission in the brain. Being heteromeric receptors, they are composed of several subunits, including two obligatory GluN1 subunits (eight splice variants) and regulatory GluN2 (GluN2A~D) or GluN3 (GluN3A~B) subunits. Widely distributed in the brain, they regulate other neurotransmission systems and are therefore involved in essential functions such as synaptic transmission, learning and memory, plasticity, and excitotoxicity. The present review will detail the structure, composition, and localization of NMDARs, their role and regulation at the glutamatergic synapse, and their impact on cognitive processes and in neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's, Huntington's, and Parkinson's disease). The pharmacology of different NMDAR antagonists and their therapeutic potentialities will be presented. In particular, a focus will be given on fluoroethylnormemantine (FENM), an investigational drug with very promising development as a neuroprotective agent in Alzheimer's disease, in complement to its reported efficacy as a tomography radiotracer for NMDARs and an anxiolytic drug in post-traumatic stress disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison Carles
- MMDN, University of Montpellier, EPHE, INSERM, Montpellier, France; (A.C.); (A.F.)
| | - Aline Freyssin
- MMDN, University of Montpellier, EPHE, INSERM, Montpellier, France; (A.C.); (A.F.)
- ReST Therapeutics, 34095 Montpellier, France; (F.P.-D.); (G.R.)
| | | | | | - Tangui Maurice
- MMDN, University of Montpellier, EPHE, INSERM, Montpellier, France; (A.C.); (A.F.)
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NMDARs Containing NR2B Subunit Do Not Contribute to the LTP Form of Hippocampal Plasticity: In Vivo Pharmacological Evidence in Rats. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168672. [PMID: 34445376 PMCID: PMC8395520 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2021] [Revised: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Synaptic plasticity is the key to synaptic health, and aberrant synaptic plasticity, which in turn impairs the functioning of large-scale brain networks, has been associated with neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. The best known and most studied form of activity-dependent synaptic plasticity remains long-term potentiation (LTP), which is controlled by glutamatergic N-methyl-d-aspartate) receptors (NMDAR) and considered to be a mechanism crucial for cellular learning and memory. Over the past two decades, discrepancies have arisen in the literature regarding the contribution of NMDAR subunit assemblies in the direction of NMDAR-dependent synaptic plasticity. Here, the nonspecific NMDAR antagonist ketamine (5 and 10 mg/kg), and the selective NR2B antagonists CP-101606 and Ro 25-6981 (6 and 10 mg/kg), were administered intraperitoneally in Sprague Dawley rats to disentangle the contribution of NR2B subunit in the LTP induced at the Schaffer Collateral-CA1 synapse using the theta burst stimulation protocol (TBS). Ketamine reduced, while CP-101606 and Ro 25-6981 did not alter the LTP response. The administration of CP-101606 before TBS did not influence the effects of ketamine when administered half an hour after tetanization, suggesting a limited contribution of the NR2B subunit in the action of ketamine. This work confirms the role of NMDAR in the LTP form of synaptic plasticity, whereas specific blockade of the NR2B subunit was not sufficient to modify hippocampal LTP. Pharmacokinetics at the doses used may have contributed to the lack of effects with specific antagonists. The findings refute the role of the NR2B subunit in the plasticity mechanism of ketamine in the model.
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Gan J, Qi C, Mao LM, Liu Z. Changes in surface expression of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors in the striatum in a rat model of Parkinson's disease. DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2014; 8:165-73. [PMID: 24465126 PMCID: PMC3900317 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s51559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors play a central role in glutamatergic synaptic transmission in the mammalian brain and are linked to the pathophysiology and symptomatology of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, changes in NMDA receptor expression in distinct subcellular compartments in PD have not been elucidated. In this study, we investigated changes in subcellular expression of NMDA receptors in striatal neurons in a rodent PD model. METHODS Intracranial injection of the neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) was selectively lesioned into the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway in adult Sprague Dawley rats, which is a common rat model of PD. A surface receptor crosslinking assay was conducted to examine the response of individual NMDA receptor subunits to dopamine depletion in isolated and confined surface and intracellular compartments of striatal neurons. RESULTS In PD rats where 6-OHDA was selectively lesioned, surface expression of NMDA receptor GluN1 subunits as detected by surface protein crosslinking assays was increased in the striatum. In contrast, intracellular levels of GluN1 were decreased in the lesioned region. The NMDA receptor GluN2B subunit was elevated in its abundance in the surface pool of the lesioned striatum, while intracellular GluN2B levels were not altered. GluN2A subunits in both surface and intracellular fractions remained stable. In addition, total cellular levels of striatal GluN1 and GluN2A were not changed in lesioned tissue, while total GluN2B proteins showed an increase. CONCLUSION These results demonstrate the differential sensitivity of principal NMDA receptor subunits to dopamine depletion. GluN1 and GluN2B expression in the distinct surface compartment underwent upregulation in striatal neurons after selective lesions of the dopaminergic pathway by 6-OHDA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Gan
- Department of Neurology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Chen Qi
- Department of Neurology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Li-Min Mao
- Department of Basic Medical Science, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - Zhenguo Liu
- Department of Neurology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
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Wang XM, Liu WJ, Zhang R, Zhou YK. Effects of exposure to low-level lead on spatial learning and memory and the expression of mGluR1, NMDA receptor in different developmental stages of rats. Toxicol Ind Health 2012; 29:686-96. [DOI: 10.1177/0748233712436641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The effect of different periods of lead exposure on deficits of learning and memory is still unclear. In this study, we conduct in vivo experiment to investigate the critical stages when lead induced neurotoxicity in rats and its underlying mechanisms in some critical stages. Rats were exposed to 0.2% mg/ml lead acetate solution via drinking water during gestation, lactation and ablactation periods. Behavior deficits were found in gestation and lactation. N-Methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunit 2A (NR2A) increased during gestation both in hippocampus and cerebral cortex compared to the control group; in all treatment groups NR2B decreased in hippocampus and in cerebral cortex during the lactation period. Meanwhile, in hippocampus metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGluR1) decreased during gestation and lactation periods but increased during the ablactation period. These observations suggest that exposure to lead in gestation and lactation periods could cause neurobehavioral deficits which extend to adulthood, and lactation was a more sensitive period for lead exposure. Furthermore, the abnormal expression of NMDA receptor 2 (NMDAR 2) subunits and mGluR1 are likely to be associated with the impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Mei Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Institute of Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Wen-Jun Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Institute of Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Rong Zhang
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, PR China
| | - Yi-Kai Zhou
- MOE Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Institute of Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
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Effects of postnatal exposure to methylmercury on spatial learning and memory and brain NMDA receptor mRNA expression in rats. Toxicol Lett 2009; 188:230-5. [PMID: 19409459 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2009.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2008] [Revised: 04/08/2009] [Accepted: 04/20/2009] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The extreme vulnerability of developing nervous system to methylmercury (MeHg) is well documented. Still unclear is the consequence of different postnatal period exposure to MeHg. We investigated the critical postnatal phase when MeHg induced neurotoxicity in rats and the underlying mechanism. Rats were given 5mg/(kg day) methylmercury chloride (MMC) orally on postnatal day (PND) 7, PND14, PND28, and PND60 for consecutive 7 days. A control group was treated with 0.9% sodium chloride solution 5 ml/(kg day) instead. On PND69, spatial learning and memory was evaluated by Morris water maze test. Behavior deficits were found in MMC-treated rats of PND7 and PND14 groups (p<0.01). N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor 2 subunits mRNA expressions were evaluated 3 days after the last administration. In hippocampus, the mRNA expression of NR2A and NR2B decreased, but the NR2C expression increased in PND14 group following MMC-treatment (p<0.01). In cerebral cortex, mRNA expression of NR2A decreased, with NR2C expression elevating in PND14 group following MMC-treatment (p<0.05). These observations suggest that the postnatal exposure to MeHg during PND7-20 could cause neurobehavioral deficits which extend to adulthood. Furthermore, the abnormal expression of NMDAR 2 subunits might associate with the impairment.
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Chung E, Chen L, Chan Y, Yung K. Downregulation of glial glutamate transporters after dopamine denervation in the striatum of 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats. J Comp Neurol 2008; 511:421-37. [DOI: 10.1002/cne.21852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Chung EKY, Chen LW, Chan YS, Yung KKL. Up-regulation in expression of vesicular glutamate transporter 3 in substantia nigra but not in striatum of 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats. Neurosignals 2007; 15:238-48. [PMID: 17435391 DOI: 10.1159/000101704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2007] [Accepted: 02/12/2007] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Overactivity of the glutamatergic system is suggested to be closely related to the onset and pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. Vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUT1, T2 and T3) are a group of glutamate transporters in neurons that are responsible for transporting glutamate into synaptic vesicles and they are key elements for homeostasis of glutamate neurotransmission. The present study was aimed to investigate the expression of VGLUT1, T2 and T3 proteins after the onset of Parkinson's disease. A rat model of Parkinson's disease, the 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rat, was employed. Immunocytochemistry revealed that VGLUT1, T2 and T3 immunoreactivity was not modulated in the striatum of the lesioned rat. Western blotting analyses also showed that there was no change in the expression of T1, T2 and T3 proteins in the striatum. In contrast, no VGLUT1 protein was detected in the substantia nigra. After the lesion, levels of VGLUT2 immunoreactivity and protein were not modulated. Significant increase of VGLUT3 immunoreactivity was observed in the perikarya of GABAergic substantia nigra pars reticulata neurons (+14.7%) although VGLUT3 protein was not modulated in the nigral tissues. VGLUT3 in GABAergic neurons is suggested to play a role in GABA synthesis. The present results may therefore implicate that VGLUT1 and T2 are not modulated in the striatum and the substantia nigra of the 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rat and only VGLUT3 plays a role in pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- E K Y Chung
- Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, PR China
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Lui PW, Yeung CW, Yung WH, Shi Y, Chen LW, Chan YS, Yung KKL. Ablation of gene expression of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor one by antisense oligonucleotides in striatal neurons in culture. Neurosignals 2006; 14:303-16. [PMID: 16772733 DOI: 10.1159/000093045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2005] [Accepted: 02/28/2006] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In the present study, a twenty-mer antisense oligonucleotide specific for N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor one (ANR1) was applied to striatal neurons in primary cell culture. The ANR1 was found to be specific and nontoxic. Significant reductions in expression of NR1 mRNA and proteins were resulted after a single dose of ANR1 transcripts. Interestingly, there were reductions in total NR1 proteins but two phosphorylated forms of NR1 proteins at serine 896 and 897 residues were not reduced. There was also no change in the pattern of distribution of NR1 immunoreactivity in the striatal neurons. In addition, significant reductions of NMDA-mediated peak inward current were found after application of a higher concentration of ANR1 (20-100 microM) by patch clamp recordings. The present results indicate that ANR1 is a useful agent in reducing NMDA receptor functions. The present data thus provide detailed cellular and molecular mechanisms to explain our previous findings of amelioration of motor symptoms in a rat model of Parkinson's disease. More importantly, application of ANR1 was also found to display neuroprotective effects of striatal neurons against NMDA-induced excitotoxic cell death. The findings have implications in development of new approach in prevention of cell death in neurodegenerative diseases and new treatments for these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- P W Lui
- Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, PR China
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Kilic AC, Capan Y, Vural I, Gursoy RN, Dalkara T, Cuine A, Hincal AA. Preparation and characterization of PLGA nanospheres for the targeted delivery of NR2B-specific antisense oligonucleotides to the NMDA receptors in the brain. J Microencapsul 2006; 22:633-41. [PMID: 16401579 DOI: 10.1080/02652040500162766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Treatment of central nervous system (CNS) diseases with potentially useful pharmaceuticals is prevented by the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is a unique protective barrier in the body. It is formed by epithelial-like tight junctions, which are expressed by the brain capillary endothelial cells. Although most molecules are potentially active in the CNS, they cannot readily enter the brain because of their properties. Antisense oligonucleotides (ODNs) have a great potential as neuropharmaceuticals; however, the large size and polar nature of nucleic acid drugs prevent these molecules from bypassing the BBB and readily entering the CNS following systemic administration. One approach to improve both the pharmacokinetics and the pharmacodynamics of ODNs involves the use of sustained-release polymer formulations, such as poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticulate systems. In this study, nanospheres were prepared by the emulsification diffusion technique and characterized in terms of particle size, surface morphology, encapsulation efficiency, in vitro release profiles and ODN stability. The nanospheres produced were spherical with homogenous size distribution. Nanospheres were prepared with different encapsulation efficiency. Release profiles of formulations were also evaluated. The results show that formulations with different ODN content exhibited different release profiles. Moreover, the chemical integrity of ODN during the processes was conserved. These results demonstrate that a stable ODN formulation could be prepared utilizing PLGA nanospheres as a potential delivery system for the treatment of CNS diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- A C Kilic
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
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Lai SK, Tse YC, Yang MS, Wong CKC, Chan YS, Yung KKL. Gene expression of glutamate receptors GluR1 and NR1 is differentially modulated in striatal neurons in rats after 6-hydroxydopamine lesion. Neurochem Int 2003; 43:639-53. [PMID: 12892651 DOI: 10.1016/s0197-0186(03)00080-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, we attempted to address the modulation of the gene expression of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionate (AMPA) glutamate receptors in the neostriatum of the 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-lesioned rat, an animal model of Parkinson's disease. After 2 weeks of lesion, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCRs) revealed significant reduction in GluR1 mRNA expression but a significant enhancement of NR1 mRNA expression in the striatal tissues of the lesioned side. No modulation in the mRNA expression of GluR2, GluR3, GluR4 and NR2B were found. Immunofluorescence with digital imaging analysis also demonstrated a significant reduction in GluR1 immunoreactivity in the lesioned neostriatum. Interestingly, the reduction in GluR1 immunoreactivity was primarily observed in presumed striatal medium spiny neurons but not in parvalbumin-labeled striatal GABAergic interneurons. Immunoreactivity for GluR2, GluR2/3, GluR4, NR1 and NR2B was unchanged in neurons of the neostriatum of the lesioned side. The present results indicate that there is an opposite trend in modulation in the gene expressions of GluR1 and NR1 in the neostriatum of 6-OHDA-lesioned rats after dopamine denervation. Modulation of GluR1 mRNA and immunoreactivity is likely to be limited in the striatal projection neurons. These findings have implications for the use of NMDA and AMPA receptor antagonists in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- S K Lai
- Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, PR China
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Lui PW, Suen KC, Chan YS, Yung WH, Yung KKL. Striatal neurons but not nigral dopaminergic neurons in neonatal primary cell culture express endogenous functional N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2003; 120:9-21. [PMID: 14667572 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbrainres.2003.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Developmental expression of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunits were determined and compared in striatal and nigral neurons in neonatal primary cell cultures. In striatal neurons, NR1, NR2A and NR2B mRNAs and immunoreactivity, and NR2D mRNA were found and the maximal levels of NR1 mRNA and immunoreactivity expression were found at 6 day-in-vitro (DIV). NMDA receptors found at this stage in striatal neurons are likely to contain NR1 plus NR2A, NR2B and NR2D subunits. In nigral neurons, NR1 and NR2B mRNAs and immunoreactivity, and NR2D mRNA were found and the maximal level of NR1 immunoreactivity expression was found at 10 DIV. Unlike striatal neurons, NMDA receptors found in nigral neurons are likely to contain NR1 plus NR2B and NR2D subunits only. NMDA-induced toxicity assays showed that striatal neurons were most susceptible to cell death at around 10 DIV but nigral neurons were not susceptible to NMDA-induced cell death at all stages. In addition, patch clamp analysis revealed that functional NMDA receptors could only be found in striatal neurons but not in nigral dopaminergic neurons in vitro. The present results indicate that striatal and nigral neurons are programmed to express distinct NMDA receptor subunits during their endogenous development in cell cultures. Despite dopaminergic neurons in culture display NMDA receptor subunits, functional NMDA receptors are not assembled. The present findings have demonstrated that dopaminergic neurons in vitro may behave very differently to their counterparts in vivo in terms of NMDA receptor-mediated responses. Our results also have implications in transplantations using dopaminergic neurons in vitro in treatments of Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- P W Lui
- Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, PR China
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Stone LS, Vulchanova L. The pain of antisense: in vivo application of antisense oligonucleotides for functional genomics in pain and analgesia. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2003; 55:1081-112. [PMID: 12935946 DOI: 10.1016/s0169-409x(03)00105-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
As the genomic revolution continues to evolve, there is an increasing demand for efficient and reliable tools for functional characterization of individual gene products. Antisense oligonucleotide-mediated knockdown has been used successfully as a functional genomics tool in animal models of pain and analgesia yet skepticism regarding the validity and utility of antisense technology remains. Contributing to this uncertainty are the lack of systematic studies exploring antisense oligonucleotide use in vivo and the many technical and methodological challenges intrinsic to the method. This article reviews the contributions of antisense oligonucleotide-based studies to the field of pain and analgesia and the general principles of antisense technology. A special emphasis is placed on technical issues surrounding the successful application of antisense oligonucleotides in vivo, including sequence selection, antisense oligonucleotide chemistry, DNA controls, route of administration, uptake, dose-dependence, time-course and adequate evaluation of knockdown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura S Stone
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, 6-125 Jackson Hall, 321 Church Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
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Lau WK, Lui PW, Wong CKC, Chan YS, Yung KKL. Differential expression of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit messenger ribonucleic acids and immunoreactivity in the rat neostriatum during postnatal development. Neurochem Int 2003; 43:47-65. [PMID: 12605882 DOI: 10.1016/s0197-0186(02)00191-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The present study was performed to investigate the patterns of gene expression of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors (NRs) in the rat neostriatum during postnatal development. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCR) indicated that levels of NR1, NR2A and NR2D mRNAs reached peak levels between postnatal days 7 (PND 7) and PND 14. The levels of NR2B and NR2C mRNAs were low at PND 1 and their levels increased at PND 7 and remained high in adults. Immunofluorescence combined with image analysis revealed that the levels of NR1 immunoreactivity rose to its maximum at PND 14. In contrast, NR1 immunoreactivity rose progressively in perikarya of striatal neurons. Levels of NR2A immunoreactivity in the neostriatum were highest in adults. However, levels of NR2A immunoreactivity were higher in striatal neurons at PND 1 and PND 7. Levels of NR2B immunoreactivity were highest at PND 7. In the perikarya of striatal neurons however, the highest levels of NR2B immunoreactivity were detected at PND 14 and adult striatal neurons. In addition, double immunofluorescence revealed that the levels of NR1 immunoreactivity increased but the levels of NR2A immunoreactivity were the same in parvalbumin (PV)-positive striatal interneurons of PND 14 and adult rats. NR2B immunoreactivity was not detected in PV-positive neurons of PND 14 rats, but intense NR2B labeling was seen in PV-positive neurons of adult rats. Last but not least, in choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)-positive striatal interneurons of PND 14 and adult rats, levels of NR1 and NR2A immunoreactivity was seen to increase. Level of NR2B immunoreactivity remained the same in ChAT-positive neurons of PND 14 and adult rats. The present results indicate that there are differential patterns of expression of NR mRNAs and immunoreactivity in the neostriatum during different stages of postnatal development. Different combinations of NR have been found in different subpopulations of striatal neurons at different developmental stages. NR1, NR2A and NR2B are the major NMDA receptor subunits expressed during development. The change in patterns of expression of NR may be related to the functional maturation of neurons in the neostriatum.
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Affiliation(s)
- W K Lau
- Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, 224 Waterloo Road, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, PR China
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