Linked Life Data

9266730

Source:http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/id/9266730

Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
2
pubmed:dateCreated
1997-9-5
pubmed:databankReference
pubmed:abstractText
The cause of the selective degeneration of motor neurons in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) remains unexplained. One potential pathogenetic mechanism is chronic toxicity due to disturbances of the glutamatergic neurotransmitter system, mediated via alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA)-sensitive glutamate receptors. Functional AMPA receptors consist of various combinations of four subunits (designated GluR1-4). The GluR2 subunit is functionally dominant and renders AMPA receptors impermeable to calcium. Most native AMPA receptors in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS) contain the GluR2 subunit and are calcium impermeable. We have investigated the composition of AMPA receptors expressed on normal human spinal motor neurons by in situ hybridization to determine their likely subunit stoichiometry. Highly significant levels of mRNA were detected for the GluR1, GluR3, and GluR4 subunits. However, GluR2 subunit mRNA was not detectable in this cell group. The absence of detectable GluR2 mRNA in normal human spinal motor neurons predicts that they express calcium-permeable AMPA receptors unlike most neuronal groups in the human CNS. Expression of atypical calcium-permeable AMPA receptors by human motor neurons provides a possible mechanism whereby disturbances of glutamate neurotransmission in ALS may selectively injure this cell group.
pubmed:grant
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Aug
pubmed:issn
0364-5134
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
42
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
200-7
pubmed:dateRevised
2009-9-29
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1997
pubmed:articleTitle
Calcium-permeable alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid receptors: a molecular determinant of selective vulnerability in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Neurology, School of Neurosciences & Psychiatry, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't