Distribution of AMPA receptor subunits and TARPs in synaptic and extrasynaptic membranes of the adult rat nucleus accumbens

作者：Ferrario Carrie R; Loweth Jessica A; Milovanovic Mike; Wang Xiaoting; Wolf Marina E^*

来源：Neuroscience Letters, 2011, 490(3): 180-184.

DOI：10.1016/j.neulet.2010.12.036

• Addiction
• Ca2+-permeable AMPA receptor
• NMDA receptor
• Plasticity
• Subcellular fractionation
• TARP

We characterized the distribution of AMPA receptor (AMPAR) subunits and the transmembrane AMPA receptor regulatory proteins (TARPs) gamma-2 and gamma-4 in adult rat nucleus accumbens (NAc) using a method that separates plasma membranes into synaptic membrane-enriched and extrasynaptic membrane-enriched fractions. We also measured GluA1 phosphorylated at serine 845 (pS845 GluA1) and serine 831 (pS831 GluA1). GluA1-3 protein levels and pS831 GluA1/total GluA1 were higher in synaptic membranes. However, pS845 GluA1/total GluA1 was higher in extrasynaptic membranes, consistent with a role for 5845 phosphorylation in GluA 1 insertion at extrasynaptic sites. Homeric GluA1 receptors were detected in extrasynaptic membranes, consistent with evidence for extrasynaptic Ca2+-permeable AMPARs in other systems. The TARP gamma-2 was enriched in synaptic membranes, whereas gamma-4 was mainly found in extrasynaptic membranes, suggesting distinct roles for these proteins in the NAc. These experiments provide fundamental information that will aid in the interpretation of studies on AMPAR-related plasticity in the NAc.

• 出版日期2011-3-3