QUANTITATIVE GENE-EXPRESSION OF 2 TYPES OF GLYCINE TRANSPORTER IN THERAT CENTRAL-NERVOUS-SYSTEM

Nuclease protection assays were performed to determine the levels of g ene expression for the glycine transporters (GLY(T)), GLY(T)-1a, GLY(T )-1b and GLY(T)-2 in select regions of rat CNS. Results showed regiona l differences in GLY(T)-1a and GLY(T)-1b gene expression throughout th e central nervous system (CNS) whereas GLY(T)-2 was predominantly expr essed in the caudal brain. Although the distribution of GLY(T) correla tes with the regional distribution of the glycine and N-methyl-D-aspar tate receptor, areas shown to be highly susceptible to acute ischemia consistently showed low levels of GLY(T) mRNAs.