Abstract
RT-PCR and intracellular Ca2+ measurements were used to identify factors that modulate alternative splicing of exon 5 in the NMDA receptor transcript encoding NR1, in cultured cerebellar granule neurons. Although cells grown in media containing 5 mM KCl demonstrate compromised survival they show the predicted developmental transition from NR1a (-exon 5) to NR1b (+exon 5) mRNA expression. This transition was blocked under culture conditions that promote survival; inclusion or exclusion of exon 5 is a reversible process that is sensitive to alterations in Ca2+ and pH. We conclude that alternative splicing of NR1 pre-mRNA transcripts may be regulated by developmental cues that modulate the degree of glutamate receptor activation.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 3659-3664 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | NeuroReport |
Volume | 10 |
Issue number | 17 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Nov 26 1999 |
Keywords
- Alternative splicing
- Calcium
- Cerebellum
- Granule neurons
- NMDA receptor
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Neuroscience(all)