INCREASED LEVELS OF MESSENGER-RNA FOR BETA-SUBUNIT BUT NOT ALPHA-SUBUNIT OF CALMODULIN KINASE-II FOLLOWING KINDLED SEIZURES

We studied levels of mRNA for the alpha- and beta-subunits of calmodul in (CaM) kinase II using the amygdaloid kindling model of epilepsy. Th ere were significant increases in mRNA for the beta-subunit of CaM kin ase II in the hippocampus 4-24 h after stage 5-kindled seizures. Moreo ver, this mRNA was significantly increased by 20.0-26.5% in the bilate ral dentate gyrus 8 to 24 h after kindled seizures, The beta-subunit m RNA was also significantly increased by 13.5-19.0% in the CA3 on the s ide ipsilateral to the stimulation, 4 to 8 h after kindled seizures. m RNA for the alpha-subunit of CaM kinase II was not significantly chang ed in the regions examined for up to 24 h after the kindled seizures. These results suggest that CaM kinase II mediates the molecular proces ses that follow kindled seizures, It is possible that increases in CaM kinase It-dependent protein phosphorylation are associated with the p lastic changes in kindling. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.