Opposite changes in adenosine A(1) and A(2A) receptor mRNA in the rat following sleep deprivation

Extracellular levels of adenosine increase in basal forebrain following pro longed wakefulness. Moreover, perfusion of adenosine into basal forebrain i ncreases sleep. In this study we have examined the adenosine receptor subty pes, A(1) and A(2A), for changes in the levels of mRNA using RT-PCR and in situ hybridization and the receptor ligand binding efficiency using autorad iography following 3 and 6 h of sleep deprivation. We observed that A(1) re ceptor mRNA levels increased in basal forebrain with no changes in other fo rebrain areas examined. A(1) receptor binding was not affected. A(2A) recep tor mRNA and ligand binding were undetectable in basal forebrain. However, in the olfactory tubercle, A(2A) mRNA and receptor binding decreased signif icantly. Based on the significant increase in the A(1) but not in A(2A) rec eptor, we hypothesize that the effects of sleep deprivation-induced increas ed adenosine are mediated by A(1) receptor in basal forebrain of rats. Neur oReport 12:1577-1580 (C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.