Global ischemia induces expression of acid-sensing ion channel 2a in rat brain

Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are ligand-gated cation channels that res pond to acidic stimuli. They are expressed throughout the mammalian nervous system. In the peripheral nervous system, ASICs act as nociceptors. respon ding to the tissue acidosis that accompanies ischemic and inflammatory cond itions. The function of ASICs in the central nervous system is not known. I n this article, the authors present evidence that transient global ischemia induces ASIC 2a protein expression in neurons that survive ischemia. Weste rn blot analysis with an anti-ASIC 2a antibody revealed up-regulation of an 80 kD protein in ischemic rat brain. Immunohistochemical analysis showed t hat ASIC 2a protein expression increased in neurons of the hippocampus and cortex. Klenow fragment-mediated labeling of DNA strand breaks determined t hat ASIC 2a induction did not occur in cells with detectable DNA damage. Th e current results suggest a possible role for ASICs in mediating a cellular response to ischemia.