Abstract
N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor is the major excitatory neurotransmitter receptor in the central nervous system. Recent evidence has pointed to expression of NMDA receptor in peripheral non-neuronal tissues and organs; however, little is known about the expression of the receptor in the stomach. The present study identified what types of NMDA receptor subunits are expressed in the rat stomach and examined whether vagotomy affects their expression. To see the expression and distribution of the mRNAs and proteins for the NMDA receptor subunits, real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry were carried out on rat stomach with and without vagotomy. Of the NMDA receptor subunits, NR1, NR2 (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D), and NR3 (3A, 3B), all NR subunit mRNAs except for the NR2B subunit mRNA were expressed in the intact rat stomach, with huge expression of NR2D mRNA. Expression of NR2D subunit mRNA and protein significantly increased after vagotomy. Increased expression was found in mucosal cells, the myenteric plexus, and the outer membrane of the stomach with vagotomy. Vagotomy upregulates expression of the NR2D subunit in the stomach and therefore, the NR2D subunit may be implicated in gastric motility.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
