Effect of repetitive seizures on NR2B subunit of NMDAR in rat hippocampus

GONZÁLEZ NN ; AUZMENDI J; WEIGEL MUÑOZ M; GIRARDI E

Pinamar, provincia de Buenos Aires

Congreso; XX Congreso de la Sociedad Argentina de Neuroquímica (SAN), XLI de la Sociedad Argentina de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular (SAIB) y X Panamerican Association for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PABMB); 2005

Sociedad Argentina de Neuroquímica (SAN), Sociedad Argentina de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular (SAIB) y Panamerican Association for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PABMB)

In previous work in our laboratory, we have reported modificationsof specific ligand binding to rat brain NMDA receptors, after theadministration of the convulsant drug 3-mercaptopropionic acid(MP). NMDAR is an heteromeric complexes containing NR1 anddifferent NR2 subunits which determine distinct functionalproperties.The objective of this work is to study the effect of MP-inducedseizure on NR2B.Methods: Wistar rats (250-300g) were injected with MP 45mg/kgi.p. during 4 and 7 days. Control rats were injected with saline. Oneday after the last injection, brain were processed forimmunohystochemical assays using antiNR2B and the PAPtechnique.Results: The studies on control rat hippocampal slices showedimmunostaining in CA2 and CA3 and in hillus. In MP4 significantdecrease with the control was observed, with almost undetectableimmunoreactivity, a light negligible mark around pyramidal cellsand a few cells in lacunosum molecular layer were stained and asimilar declined mark in MP 7.Conclusions: These results suggest that NR2B may play a role inmodulating convulsive activity in MP-induce seizures.