Changes in glycine receptor subunit expression in forebrain regions of the Wistar rat over development

Glycine receptors (GlyRs) are pentameric membrane proteins in the form of either alpha-homomers or alpha-beta heteromers. Four out of five subunits; alpha 1-3 and beta, have been found in the mammalian brain. Early studies investigating subunit composition and expression patterns of this receptor have proposed a developmental switch from alpha 2 homomers to alpha 1 beta heteromers as the CNS matures, a conclusion primarily based on results from the spinal cord. However, our previous results indicate that this might not apply to e.g. the forebrain regions. Here we examined alterations in GlyR expression caused by developmental changes in selected brain areas, focusing on reward-related regions. Animals of several ages (P2, P21 and P60) were included to examine potential changes over time. In accordance with previous reports, a switch in expression was observed in the spinal cord. However, the present results indicate that a decrease in alpha 2 subunit expression is not replaced by alpha 1 subunit expression since the generally low levels, and modest increases, of alpha 1 could hardly replace the reduction in alpha 2-mRNA. Instead mRNA measurements indicate that a2 continues to be the dominating alpha-subunit also in adult animals, usually in combination with high and stable levels of beta-subunit expression. This indicates that alterations in GlyR subunit expression are not simply a maturation effect common for the entire CNS, but rather a unique pattern of transition depending on the region at hand. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.