mRNA distribution in adult human brain of GRIN2B, a N-methyl- d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunit

• Published in: Neuroscience letters 1997-12, Vol.239 (1), p.49-53
• Main Authors: Schito, A.M, Pizzuti, A, Di Maria, E, Schenone, A, Ratti, A, Defferrari, R, Bellone, E, Mancardi, G.L, Ajmar, F, Mandich, P
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Biochemistry and metabolism; Biological and medical sciences; Brain Chemistry - physiology; Central nervous system; Chromosome Mapping; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Glutamate; GRIN2B; Humans; In situ hybridisation; In Situ Hybridization; N-Methyl- d-aspartate; Peptide Fragments - analysis; Polymerase Chain Reaction - methods; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate - analysis; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate - chemistry; Reference Values; RNA, Messenger - analysis; Transcription, Genetic; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs
• ISSN: 0304-3940; 1872-7972
• DOI: 10.1016/S0304-3940(97)00853-7

The expression of the N-methyl- d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunit NR2B/ ϵ2 (GRIN2B) in the human adult brain was assayed by in situ hybridisation, by using a specific cRNA probe. The full length GRIN2B cDNA was cloned and sequenced. It showed a 90% nucleotide conservation when compared to the rodent homologue. GRIN2B gene is expressed at high levels in the fronto-parieto-temporal cortex and hippocampus pyramidal cells and, at a lower extent, in the basal ganglia (amygdala and striatum). The cerebellar granule cells does not show any mRNA expression. The non-ubiquitous anatomical distribution of the GRIN2B mRNA in the central nervous system suggests that the gene could be involved in specific functions pertaining to the expressing cell groups.