CELLULAR-DISTRIBUTION OF NMDA GLUTAMATE-RECEPTOR SUBUNIT MESSENGER-RNAS IN THE HUMAN CEREBELLUM

We have used a quantitative in situ hybridization method with human ri bonucleotide probes to examine the regional and cellular distribution of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) subunit mRNAs in the human ce rebellum. Purkinje cells showed very dense labeling for NMDAR1 mRNA, d ense labeling for NMDAR2A mRNA, and moderate labeling for NMDAR2D mRNA , whereas labeling for NMDAR2C mRNA was low. Granule cells showed high hybridization signals for the NMDAR1 and NMDAR2C mRNAs and moderate s ignals for the NMDAR2A and NMDAR2D mRNAs. In addition intense labeling with the NMDAR2B probe was observed in medium-sized neurons with chro mophilic cell bodies in the upper part of the granule cell layer, most likely representing Golgi cells. Neurons in the molecular layer, i.e. , basket cells and stellate cells, showed moderate hybridization signa ls for NMDAR1 and NMDAR2D and low signal for NMDAR2C. Each type of cer ebellar neuron analyzed displayed a distinct NMDAR2 subunit profile, s uggesting that they are likely to have NMDA receptors with distinct pr operties. (C) 1997 Academic Press.