MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF SEIZURE-RELATED GENES ISOLATED BY DIFFERENTIAL SCREENING

To isolate seizure-related genes, we applied differential screening te chnique to the cDNA library which constructed from primary cultured ce rebral cortical cells treated with pentylenetetrazol (PTZ). Northern b lotting analysis of mRNA levels in the cerebra after systemic administ ration of PTZ confirmed the results of differential screening procedur e: 6 clones showed increased mRNA level and 3 clones showed decreased expression with PTZ, Interestingly, 4 genes which were isolated by thi s technique were related to intracellular calcium action. They were cy tosolic phospholipase A2, 78 kDa glucose regulated protein, SEZ-15 whi ch has an EF hand motif and PTZ-17 that causes calcium current in Xeno pus oocyte with PTZ application. These data and our previous results s uggest that intracellular calcium may play an important role for seizu re-related pathaphysiological changes in neuronal cells. (C) 1996 Acad emic Press, Inc.