Distributions Of GLURK5 In Synapses Of CA1 Region In The Rat Hippocampus

ObjectiveGLURK5 is one of the five different protein subunits of kainate receptor, has very important physiological properties, and is expected to become a new target of antiepileptic drugs. The analysis by in stiu hybridization indicated that a great number of interneurons of CA1 region in the rat hippocampus expressed the GLURK5 mRNA. Evidence was obtained that postsynaptic kainate receptors contribute to the EPSC ( excitatory postsynapic current) at excitatory synapses onto interneurons. In addition, modulation of transmitter release by presynaptic kainate receptors can occur at both excitatory and inhibitory synapses. However, the distributions of GLURK5 in Synapses of CA1 Region in hippocampus are still unclear.Here the specific polyclonal antibody against GLURK5 was used to analyze the distribution of the positive staining synapses in CA1 region of rat hippocampus.MethodsThe specific polyclonal antibody against GLURK5 was used to analyze distribution of the positive staining synapses in CA1 region of rat hippocampus with immunoperoxidase labeling eletron microscope of pre - embedding.Results1 The GLURK5 positive interneurons and pyramidal cells were seen in the rat hippocampus CA1 region.2 GLURK5 - like immunoreactivity was present in both asymmetric synapses and symmetric synapses with pre - and postsynaptic locations in the rat hippocampus CA1 region.ConclusionGLURK5 protein is presented in presynaptic membrane of both asymmetric synapses and symmetric synapses, and may be involved in the modulation of the neurotransmitter release.GLURK5 protein is presented in postsynaptic membrane of both asymmetric synapses and symmetric synapses, which provides the morphologic evidence for the further study of the function of kainite receptor.