Quantitative PCR analysis of AMPA receptor composition in two paradigms ofglobal ischemia

Quantitative PCR was used to analyse the expression of GluR1, GluR2, GluR2 flip, GluR2 flop and GluR3 mRNA in animals after ischemia and tolerance-ind ucing ischemia. The ischemic animals showed a decrease in the GluRs to simi lar to 30%, except for GluR2-flip, which decreased to 75%. The tolerance an imals displayed regulation of GluR1 to 75%, GluR2 and GluR2-flop to 283% an d 265% respectively. We did not find a correlation between GluR2 regulation and cell loss in the ischemic group. The selective upregulation of GluR2/G luR2 flop in tolerant animals indicates a possible mechanism for enhanced A MPA receptor desensitisation leading to tolerance to ischemia. NeuroReport 11:311-315 (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.