Expression of glycine receptor subunits in the cochlear nucleus and superior olivary complex using non-radioactive in-situ hybridization

• Published in: Hearing research 1995-11, Vol.91 (1), p.7-18
• Main Authors: Sato, Kazuo, Kuriyama, Hiromichi, Altschuler, Richard A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aging - metabolism; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Cochlear nucleus; Cochlear Nucleus - cytology; Cochlear Nucleus - metabolism; Ear and associated structures. Auditory pathways and centers. Hearing. Vocal organ. Phonation. Sound production. Echolocation; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gene Expression; Glycine receptor; Hybridization, in situ; In Situ Hybridization; Male; Neurons - cytology; Neurons - metabolism; Oligonucleotide Probes; Olivary Nucleus - cytology; Olivary Nucleus - metabolism; Rat; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Receptors, Glycine - biosynthesis; Receptors, Glycine - genetics; Receptors, Glycine - metabolism; RNA, Messenger - genetics; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; Superior olivary complex; Ventral Tegmental Area - cytology; Ventral Tegmental Area - metabolism; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs
• ISSN: 0378-5955; 1878-5891
• DOI: 10.1016/0378-5955(95)00156-5

The distribution of glycine receptor (GlyR) subunit mRNAs was examined in the cochlear necleus (CN) and superior olivary complex of 5–6-week-old and 8–10-week-old rats using a non-radioactive in-situ hybridization method. In the younger rats, GlyR α1-, α2-, α3- and β-subunits were observed in all major ventral cochlear nucleus (VCN) and superior olivary complex (SOC) neurons, while only α1-, α3- and β-subunits were observed in dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN) neurons. In 8–10-week-old rats, GlyR α1-, α3- and β-subunits were observed in all major CN and SOC neurons, while mRNA for GlyR α2-subunit was not observed. These results indicate that GlyR is being expressed all major CN and SOC neurons, with α1-, α3- and β-subunit components of the mature receptor and the α2-subunit, a component of the immature GlyR, which is not down-regulated until after 6 weeks of age in most CN and SOC neurons.