EXPRESSION OF GABA(A) RECEPTOR SUBUNIT MESSENGER-RNAS BY LAYER-V-PYRAMIDAL CELLS OF THE RAT PRIMARY VISUAL-CORTEX

The expression of the GABA(A) receptor subunit mRNAs by layer V pyrami dal neurons of the primary visual cortex and cerebellar Purkinje cells was analysed by single-cell reverse transcription of the mRNAs and am plification of the resulting cDNAs by the polymerase chain reaction. N eurons were identified by infrared videomicroscopy, and GABA(A)-mediat ed miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents were recorded. in Purkin je cells, alpha(1), beta(2), beta(3), gamma(2S) and gamma(2L) subunit mRNAs were detected within a single cell. in layer V pyramidal cells, a total of ten GABA(A) receptor subunit mRNAs could be detected, with a mean of seven subunit mRNAs per cell, suggesting GABA(A) receptor he terogeneity within a single pyramidal cell.