NMDA receptor subunit expression after combined prenatal and postnatal exposure to ethanol. 2004

Kimberly Nixon, and Peter D Hughes, and Abram Amsel, and Steven W Leslie
Department of Psychology, Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiciton Research, University of Texas, Austin, Texas, USA. knixon@med.unc.edu

BACKGROUND The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR), a subtype of glutamate receptor, is essential for normal neurodevelopment. The brain growth spurt, which is both prenatal and postnatal in the rat, is a time when the brain is especially sensitive to the effects of a teratogen, such as alcohol. Changes in NMDAR function after early perinatal exposure to ethanol (EtOH) may be related to alterations in the expression of secondary subunits. Thus, we investigated the expression of the NR1, NR2A, and NR2B subunits after combined prenatal and postnatal exposure to EtOH. METHODS A binge model was used to administer EtOH (5 g/kg) or isocaloric vehicle to pregnant female rats followed by EtOH (6.2 g/kg) or isocaloric control diet from postnatal days 4 through 9 via an artificial rearing method. Proteins from crude membrane homogenates isolated from cortex and hippocampus at postnatal day 10, 14, or 21 were separated in a standard Western blot procedure. RESULTS The expression of the NR2A subunit of EtOH-exposed pups showed a significant increase at postnatal day 10 in hippocampus compared with diet controls. No significant changes were seen for any other subunit in either region. CONCLUSIONS The up-regulation of NR2A during EtOH withdrawal is consistent with compensatory changes to prolonged inhibition of the NMDAR. These results indicate that postnatal exposure to ethanol produces distinct effects on the NMDAR, which may underlie deficits associated with alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D011247 Pregnancy The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH. Gestation,Pregnancies
D011297 Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects The consequences of exposing the FETUS in utero to certain factors, such as NUTRITION PHYSIOLOGICAL PHENOMENA; PHYSIOLOGICAL STRESS; DRUGS; RADIATION; and other physical or chemical factors. These consequences are observed later in the offspring after BIRTH. Delayed Effects, Prenatal Exposure,Late Effects, Prenatal Exposure
D005260 Female Females
D006624 Hippocampus A curved elevation of GRAY MATTER extending the entire length of the floor of the TEMPORAL HORN of the LATERAL VENTRICLE (see also TEMPORAL LOBE). The hippocampus proper, subiculum, and DENTATE GYRUS constitute the hippocampal formation. Sometimes authors include the ENTORHINAL CORTEX in the hippocampal formation. Ammon Horn,Cornu Ammonis,Hippocampal Formation,Subiculum,Ammon's Horn,Hippocampus Proper,Ammons Horn,Formation, Hippocampal,Formations, Hippocampal,Hippocampal Formations,Hippocampus Propers,Horn, Ammon,Horn, Ammon's,Proper, Hippocampus,Propers, Hippocampus,Subiculums
D000431 Ethanol A clear, colorless liquid rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and distributed throughout the body. It has bactericidal activity and is used often as a topical disinfectant. It is widely used as a solvent and preservative in pharmaceutical preparations as well as serving as the primary ingredient in ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES. Alcohol, Ethyl,Absolute Alcohol,Grain Alcohol,Alcohol, Absolute,Alcohol, Grain,Ethyl Alcohol
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D000831 Animals, Newborn Refers to animals in the period of time just after birth. Animals, Neonatal,Animal, Neonatal,Animal, Newborn,Neonatal Animal,Neonatal Animals,Newborn Animal,Newborn Animals
D016194 Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate A class of ionotropic glutamate receptors characterized by affinity for N-methyl-D-aspartate. NMDA receptors have an allosteric binding site for glycine which must be occupied for the channel to open efficiently and a site within the channel itself to which magnesium ions bind in a voltage-dependent manner. The positive voltage dependence of channel conductance and the high permeability of the conducting channel to calcium ions (as well as to monovalent cations) are important in excitotoxicity and neuronal plasticity. N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor,N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptors,NMDA Receptor,NMDA Receptor-Ionophore Complex,NMDA Receptors,Receptors, NMDA,N-Methylaspartate Receptors,Receptors, N-Methylaspartate,N Methyl D Aspartate Receptor,N Methyl D Aspartate Receptors,N Methylaspartate Receptors,NMDA Receptor Ionophore Complex,Receptor, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate,Receptor, NMDA,Receptors, N Methyl D Aspartate,Receptors, N Methylaspartate
D017207 Rats, Sprague-Dawley A strain of albino rat used widely for experimental purposes because of its calmness and ease of handling. It was developed by the Sprague-Dawley Animal Company. Holtzman Rat,Rats, Holtzman,Sprague-Dawley Rat,Rats, Sprague Dawley,Holtzman Rats,Rat, Holtzman,Rat, Sprague-Dawley,Sprague Dawley Rat,Sprague Dawley Rats,Sprague-Dawley Rats

Related Publications

Kimberly Nixon, and Peter D Hughes, and Abram Amsel, and Steven W Leslie
January 1990, Advances in experimental medicine and biology,
Kimberly Nixon, and Peter D Hughes, and Abram Amsel, and Steven W Leslie
January 1994, Alcohol and alcoholism (Oxford, Oxfordshire). Supplement,
Kimberly Nixon, and Peter D Hughes, and Abram Amsel, and Steven W Leslie
December 2003, Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France),
Kimberly Nixon, and Peter D Hughes, and Abram Amsel, and Steven W Leslie
February 1990, Behavioral neuroscience,
Kimberly Nixon, and Peter D Hughes, and Abram Amsel, and Steven W Leslie
June 2010, Experimental neurology,
Kimberly Nixon, and Peter D Hughes, and Abram Amsel, and Steven W Leslie
October 2021, Nutritional neuroscience,
Kimberly Nixon, and Peter D Hughes, and Abram Amsel, and Steven W Leslie
March 2002, Journal of neurochemistry,
Kimberly Nixon, and Peter D Hughes, and Abram Amsel, and Steven W Leslie
February 1999, Brain research,
Kimberly Nixon, and Peter D Hughes, and Abram Amsel, and Steven W Leslie
February 2016, Alcoholism, clinical and experimental research,
Kimberly Nixon, and Peter D Hughes, and Abram Amsel, and Steven W Leslie
December 2001, Neuroreport,
Copied contents to your clipboard!