Expression patterns of GABA A receptor subtypes in developing hippocampal neurons

Abstract

Developing cultured hippocampal neurons were studied for the expression of GABA A receptor subunits using anti-peptide antibodies. The antibodies decorated the plasma membrane of cell bodies and all neurites in immature neurons, whereas the immunoreactivity was restricted to somata and dendrites in fully developed cells. Most receptor subunits were expressed throughout the entire culture period. However, the α1 and γ2 subunits were detected only late in culture, while α6 disappeared around this time. These findings were partly corroborated by in situ hybridization data in the developing rat hippocampus. Our results reveal a temporal control of gene expression for subsets of receptor subunits in hippocampal neurons and suggest a change in the subunit composition of GABA A receptors in the developing brain.