GABA(A) AND GLUTAMATE-RECEPTOR SUBUNIT MESSENGER-RNAS IN CORTEX OF MICE CHEMICALLY KINDLED WITH FG-7142

Messenger RNA (mRNA) for several subunits of the GABA(A) receptor was measured in the cortex of mice chemically kindled with FG 7142. At 10 days after the final FG 7142 injection, beta 2 and gamma 2S subunit mR NA were significantly increased. At 31 days, alpha 1, alpha 3, beta 2, and gamma 2L mRNA were elevated. In contrast, levels of mRNA for four subunits of the glutamate receptor in the cortex of FG 7142-kindled m ice killed at 31 days were not significantly increased. Previous inves tigations have shown a reduction in GABA-gated chloride channel functi on and density in mice kindled with FG 7142, and the increases in subu nit mRNA found in the present studies may be a response to these decre ases. These results indicate that chemical kindling produces long-last ing changes in expression of genes coding for specific neurotransmitte r receptor subunits.