Effects of retinal lesions on the expression of AMPA-type glutamate receptor (GluR) subunits in the chick optic tectum were evaluated with immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting. Expression of GluR1 and GluR2/3 subunits decreased in the deafferented tectum after 2 days and increased after 7 days postlesion. These results suggest biphasic effects of retinal lesions upon the expression of GluR subunits, possibly due to removal of the glutamatergic input from the retina.
Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1524, 05508-900, São Paulo, S.P., Brazil.
