Imperial College London

Prof. William Wisden F. Med. Sci.

Faculty of Natural SciencesDepartment of Life Sciences

Chair in Molecular Neuroscience
 
 
 
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+44 (0)20 7594 9744w.wisden Website CV

 
 
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401BSir Ernst Chain BuildingSouth Kensington Campus

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Summary

 

Publications

Publication Type
Year
to

219 results found

Mellor JR, Wisden W, Randall AD, 2000, Somato-synaptic variation of GABA(A) receptors in cultured murine cerebellar granule cells: investigation of the role of the alpha6 subunit, Neuropharmacology, Vol: 39, Pages: 1495-1513, ISSN: 0028-3908

Electrophysiological investigation of cultured cerebellar murine granule cells revealed differences between the GABA(A) receptors at inhibitory synapses and those on the cell body. Specifically, mIPSCs decayed more rapidly than cell body receptors deactivated, the mean single channel conductance at the synapse (32 pS) was greater than that at cell body (21 pS) and only cell body receptors were sensitive to Zn(2+) (150 microM), which depressed response amplitude by 82+/-5% and almost doubled the rate of channel deactivation. The GABA(A) receptor alpha6 subunit is selectively expressed in cerebellar granule cells. Although concentrated at synapses, it is also found on extrasynaptic membranes. Using a mouse line (Deltaalpha6lacZ) lacking this subunit, we investigated its role in the somato-synaptic differences in GABA(A) receptor function. All differences between cell body and synaptic GABA(A) receptors observed in wild-type (WT) granule cells persisted in Deltaalpha6lacZ cells, thus demonstrating that they are not specifically due to the cellular distribution of the alpha6 subunit. However, mIPSCs from WT and Deltaalpha6lacZ cells differed in both their kinetics (faster decay in WT cells) and underlying single channel conductance (32 pS WT, 25 pS Deltaalpha6lacZ). This provides good evidence for a functional contribution of the alpha6 subunit to postsynaptic GABA(A) receptors in these cells. Despite this, deactivation kinetics of mIPSCs in WT and Deltaalpha6lacZ granule cells exhibited similar benzodiazepene (BDZ) sensitivity. This suggests that the enhanced BDZ-induced ataxia seen in Deltaalpha6lacZ mice may reflect physiological activity at extrasynaptic receptors which, unlike those at synapses, display differential BDZ-sensitivity in WT and Deltaalpha6lacZ granule cells (Jones, A.M., Korpi, E.R., McKernan, R.M., Nusser, Z., Pelz, R., Makela, R., Mellor, J.R., Pollard, S., Bahn, S., Stephenson, F.A., Randall, A.D., Sieghart, W., Somogyi, P., Smith, A.J.H., Wisden

Journal article

Merlo D, Brickley SG, Farrant M, Cull-Candy SG, Wisden Wet al., 2000, GABA-A receptor diversity: a view from the cerebellum., GABA in the nervous system: the view at fifty years, Editors: Martin, Olsen, Publisher: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, Pages: 369-382

Book chapter

Uusi-Oukari M, Heikkila J, Sinkkonen ST, Makela R, Hauer B, Homanics GE, Sieghart W, Wisden W, Korpi ERet al., 2000, Long-range interactions in neuronal gene expression: evidence from gene targeting in the GABA(A) receptor beta2-alpha6-alpha1-gamma2 subunit gene cluster, Mol Cell Neurosci, Vol: 16, Pages: 34-41, ISSN: 1044-7431

Clustering of GABA(A) receptor alpha1, alpha6, beta2, and gamma2 subunit genes on mouse chromosome 11/human chromosome 5 may have functional significance for coordinating expression patterns, but until now there has been no evidence for cross-talk between the genes. However, altering the structure of the alpha6 gene, specifically expressed in the cerebellum, with neomycin gene insertions in two different experiments unexpectedly reduced the expression of the widespread alpha1 and beta2 genes in the forebrain. There were corresponding reductions in the levels of alpha1 and beta2 subunit proteins and in autoradiographic ligand binding densities to GABA(A) receptors in the forebrain of alpha6-/- mice. The gamma2 mRNA level was not changed, nor were beta3 and delta mRNAs. The data suggest that elements in the neo gene may have an influence over long distances in the GABA(A) subunit gene complex on as yet undefined structures coordinating the expression of the alpha1 and beta2 genes

Journal article

Nusser Z, Ahmad Z, Tretter V, Fuchs K, Wisden W, Sieghart W, Somogyi Pet al., 1999, Alterations in the expression of GABA-A receptor subunits in cerebellar granule cells after the disruption of the alpha6 subunit gene, Eur J Neurosci, Vol: 11, Pages: 1685-1697, ISSN: 0953-816X

Any given subunit of the heteromultimeric type-A gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) GABAA receptor may be present in several receptor subtypes expressed by individual neurons. Changes in the expression of a subunit may result in differential changes in the expression of other subunits depending on the subunit composition of the receptor subtype, leading to alterations in neuronal responsiveness to GABA. We used the targeted disruption of the alpha6 subunit gene to test for changes in the expression of other GABAA receptor subunits. Immunoprecipitation and ligand binding experiments indicated that GABAA receptors were reduced by approximately 50% in the cerebellum of alpha6 -/- mice. Western blot experiments indicated that the alpha6 subunit protein completely disappeared from the cerebellum of alpha6 -/- mice, which resulted in the disappearance of the delta subunit from the plasma membrane of granule cells. The amount of beta2, beta3 and gamma2 subunits was reduced by approximately 50%, 20% and 40%, respectively, in the cerebella of alpha6 -/- mice. A comparison of the reduction in the level of alpha1, beta2, beta3, gamma2, or delta-subunit-containing receptors in alpha6 -/- cerebellum with those observed after removal of alpha6-subunit-containing receptors from the cerebella of alpha6 +/+ mice by immuno-affinity chromatography demonstrated the presence of a significantly higher than expected proportion of receptors containing beta3 subunits in alpha6 -/- mice. The receptors containing alpha1, beta2, beta3 and gamma2 subunits were present in the plasma membrane of granule cells of alpha6 -/- mice at both synaptic and extrasynaptic sites, as shown by electron microscopic immunocytochemistry. Despite the changes, the alpha1 subunit content of Golgi-cell-to-granule-cell synapses in alpha6 -/- animals remained unaltered, as did the frequency of alpha1 immunopositive synapses in the glomeruli. Furthermore, no change was apparent in the expression of the alpha1, beta2 and ga

Journal article

Bahn S, Wisden W, Dunnett SB, Svendsen Cet al., 1999, The intrinsic specification of gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor alpha6 subunit gene expression in cerebellar granule cells, Eur J Neurosci, Vol: 11, Pages: 2194-2198, ISSN: 0953-816X

The patterns of gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptor subunit gene expression in the brain are complex. For example, mouse hippocampal dentate granule cells express many subunit genes, whereas adult cerebellar granule cells, which may share differentiation mechanisms, have a smaller compliment and uniquely express the alpha6 subunit gene. To see how the alpha6 expression component arises, i.e. if intrinsically or environmentally specified, we used a mouse line (Deltaalpha6lacZ) with a beta-galactosidase reporter inserted into the alpha6 gene. Precursor cells from postnatal day 1 Deltaalpha6lacZ cerebellum were transplanted to the adult hippocampus and cerebellum of wild-type mice; 4 weeks after transplantation, Deltaalpha6lacZ cells expressed alpha6-lacZ in the hippocampus, amygdala and cerebellum. Thus, different adult environments support both the development and maintenance of alpha6 gene expression from cerebellar granule cell precursors. Establishing alpha6 gene expression is not likely to require specific patterns of neurotransmitter innervation or other factors present only in the developing brain; instead, alpha6 expression can be timed and maintained autonomously.

Journal article

Wisden W, 1999, Why so many GABA<sub>A</sub> receptor subtypes?: Clues from cerebellar granule cells., Publisher: LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS, Pages: S54-S54, ISSN: 0022-3042

Conference paper

Wisden W, Stephens DN, 1999, Towards better benzodiazepines, Nature, Vol: 401, Pages: 751-752, ISSN: 0028-0836

Journal article

Korpi ER, Koikkalainen P, Vekovischeva OY, Makela R, Kleinz R, Uusi-Oukari M, Wisden Wet al., 1999, Cerebellar granule-cell-specific GABA-A receptors attenuate benzodiazepine-induced ataxia: evidence from alpha 6-subunit-deficient mice, Eur J Neurosci, Vol: 11, Pages: 233-240, ISSN: 0953-816X

Benzodiazepine- and alcohol-induced ataxias in rodents have been proposed to be affected by the gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptor alpha 6 subunit, which contributes to receptors specifically expressed in cerebellar granule cells. We have studied an alpha 6 -/- mouse line for motor performance and drug sensitivity. These mice, as a result of a specific genetic lesion, carry a precise impairment at their Golgi-granule cell synapses. On motor performance tests (rotarod, horizontal wire, pole descending, staircase and swimming tests) there were no robust baseline differences in motor function or motor learning between alpha 6 -/- and alpha 6 +/+ mice. On the rotarod test, however, the mutant mice were significantly more impaired by diazepam (5-20 mg/kg, i.p.), when compared with alpha 6 +/+ control and background C57BL/6J and 129/SvJ mouse lines. Ethanol (2.0-2.5 g/kg, i.p.) produced similar impairment in the alpha 6 -/- and alpha +/+ mice. Diazepam-induced ataxia in alpha 6 -/- mice could be reversed by the benzodiazepine site antagonist flumazenil, indicating the involvement of the remaining alpha 1 beta 2/3 gamma 2 GABAA receptors of the granule cells. The level of activity in this synapse is crucial in regulating the execution of motor tasks. We conclude that GABAA receptor alpha 6 subunit-dependent actions in the cerebellar cortex can be compensated by other receptor subtypes; but if not for the alpha 6 subunit, patients on benzodiazepine medication would suffer considerably from ataxic side-effects.

Journal article

Makela R, Wisden W, Korpi ER, 1999, Loreclezole and La3+ differentiate cerebellar granule cell GABA(A) receptor subtypes, Eur J Pharmacol, Vol: 367, Pages: 101-105, ISSN: 0014-2999

The effects of loreclezole and La3+ on native cerebellar GABA(A) receptors were compared between GABA(A) receptor alpha6 subunit-deficient (alpha6-/-) and wildtype mouse lines, produced through homologous recombination, using t-[35S]butylbicyclophosphorothionate ([35S]TBPS) autoradiography in brain sections. In the alpha6 subunit-deficient mice, the GABA receptor antagonistic ability of La3+ was abolished in the cerebellar granule cell layer, consistent with its opposite actions on alpha6- and of alpha1 subunit-containing receptors. La3+ significantly potentiated the action of GABA in the molecular layer of the alpha6-/- mice, but not in that of the wildtype mice. The potentiation of agonistic GABA inhibition of [35S]TBPS binding by loreclezole in alpha6-/- granule cells was reduced, suggesting an emergence of low-affinity GABA(A) receptors. The present results thus identified two ligands that may be useful in studying functional roles of cerebellar alpha1 and alpha6 subunit-containing GABA(A) receptor subtypes.

Journal article

Emson CL, Bell SE, Jones A, Wisden W, McKenzie ANJet al., 1998, Interleukin (IL)-4-independent induction of immunoglobulin (Ig)E, and perturbation of T cell development in transgenic mice expressing IL-13, JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE, Vol: 188, Pages: 399-404, ISSN: 0022-1007

Journal article

Emson CL, Bell SE, Jones A, Wisden W, McKenzie ANet al., 1998, nterleukin (IL)-4-independent induction of immunoglobulin (Ig)E, and perturbation of T cell development in transgenic mice expressing IL-13, J Exp Med, Vol: 188, Pages: 399-404, ISSN: 0022-1007

Recent studies using interleukin (IL)-4-deficient animals have highlighted the existence of IL-4-independent immunoglobulin (Ig)E induction. We have established transgenic mice expressing IL-13 from a transgene comprising a genomic fragment containing the IL-13 gene and the human CD2 locus control region. The transgenes were expressed in lymphoid tissues and induced by T cell activators, suggesting regulation by elements of the IL-13 promoter. IL-13 transgenic lines expressed 10-100-fold higher levels of serum IgE than their littermate controls, but had normal levels of other serum Ig isotypes. Elevated IgE levels were also detected in sera from IL-4-deficient mice carrying IL-13 transgenes, indicating that IL-4 is not required for IL-13-induced IgE expression in the mouse. Expression of IL-13 also perturbed the development of thymocytes. Although thymocyte development was normal up to 4 wk of age, thymocyte number decreased dramatically thereafter, reaching 10% of normal by 10 wk, and despite normal size and appearance, histological examination demonstrated that transgenic thymi contained only small foci of thymocytes. The reduction in thymocyte number was due mainly to a depletion of CD4(+)CD8(+) thymocytes, and did not affect significantly the composition of peripheral T cell populations. These data indicate that expression of IL-13 transgenes in vivo can regulate IgE production in the mouse, and that IL-13 may also influence thymocyte development.

Journal article

Mellor JR, Merlo D, Jones A, Wisden W, Randall ADet al., 1998, Mouse cerebellar granule cell differentiation: electrical activity regulates the GABA-A receptor alpha 6 subunit gene, J Neurosci, Vol: 18, Pages: 2822-2833, ISSN: 0270-6474

GABAA receptor alpha6 subunit gene expression marks cerebellar granule cell maturation. To study this process, we used the Deltaalpha6lacZ mouse line, which has a lacZ reporter inserted into the alpha6 gene. At early stages of postnatal cerebellar development, alpha6-lacZ expression is mosaic; expression starts at postnatal day 5 in lobules 9 and 10, and alpha6-lacZ is switched on inside-out, appearing first in the deepest postmigratory granule cells. We looked for factors regulating this expression in cell culture. Membrane depolarization correlates inversely with alpha6-lacZ expression: granule cells grown in 25 mM [K+]o for 11-15 d do not express the alpha6 gene, whereas cultures grown for the same period in 5 mM [K+]o do. This is influenced by a critical early period: culturing for >/=3 d in 25 mM [K+]o curtails the ability to induce the alpha6 gene on transfer to 5 mM [K+]o. If the cells start in 5 mM [K+]o, however, they still express the alpha6-lacZ gene in 25 mM [K+]o. In contrast to granule cells grown in 5 mM [K+]o, cells cultured in 25 mM [K+]o exhibit no action potentials, mEPSCs, or mIPSCs. In chronic 5 mM [K+]o, factors may therefore be released that induce alpha6. Blockade of ionotropic and metabotropic GABA and glutamate receptors or L-, N-, and P/Q-type Ca2+ channels did not prevent alpha6-lacZ expression, but inhibition of action potentials with tetrodotoxin blocked expression in a subpopulation of cells.

Journal article

Mellor JR, Jones A, Wisden W, Randall ADet al., 1997, Effects of culture conditions on the expression of the GABA(A) receptor alpha 6 subunit gene in cerebellar granule cells in vitro., Publisher: CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS, Pages: P178-P178, ISSN: 0022-3751

Conference paper

Korpi ER, Mattila M, Wisden W, Luddens Het al., 1997, GABA<sub>A</sub>-receptor subtypes:: Clinical efficacy and selectivity of benzodiazepine site ligands (vol 29, pg 275, 1997), ANNALS OF MEDICINE, Vol: 29, Pages: 468-468, ISSN: 0785-3890

Journal article

Korpi ER, Wisden W, Lüddens H, 1997, [Better cure for anxiety, sleep disorders, epilepsy?]., Lakartidningen, Vol: 94, Pages: 3403-3408, ISSN: 0023-7205

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the most important inhibitory neurotransmitter, is characterised by rapid effects that are mediated via GABAA, receptors. These receptors are also targets for many drugs including benzodiazepines, barbiturates and general anaesthetics. Recognition of the heterogeneity of GABAA receptors has opened up new possibilities for the development of more selective therapeutic agents. In particular, subtype-specific receptor ligands varying in intrinsic activity are likely to give rise to fewer side effects than do currently available drugs.

Journal article

Korpi ER, Wisden W, Lüddens H, 1997, Improved remedies for anxiety, sleeping disorders and epilepsy?, Lakartidningen, Pages: 3403-3408, ISSN: 0023-7205

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the most important inhibitory neurotransmitter, is characterised by rapid effects that are mediated via GABAA receptors. These receptors are also targets for many drugs including benzodiazepines, barbiturates and general anaesthetics. Recognition of the heterogeneity of GABAA receptors has opened up new possibilities for the development of more selective therapeutic agents. In particular, subtype-specific receptor ligands varying in intrinsic activity are likely to give rise to fewer side effects than do currently available drugs.

Journal article

Wisden W, 1997, Ligand-gated ion channel subunit partnerships: GABA<inf>A</inf> receptor α<inf>6</inf> subunit gene inactivation inhibits δ subunit expression, Biochemical Society Transactions, Vol: 25, ISSN: 0300-5127

Cerebellar granule cells express six GABAA receptor subunits abundantly (α1, α6, β2, β3, γ2 and δ), and assemble a variety of pentameric receptor subtypes, with unknown subunit compositions. However, the rules guiding receptor subunit assembly are unclear. Removal of intact α6 protein from cerebellar granule cells allowed perturbations in other subunit levels to be studied (Jones et al., 1997). Exon 8 of the mouse α6 -/- subunit gene was disrupted by homologous recombination. In α6 -1- granule cells, the δ subunit was selectively degraded as seen by immunoprecipitation, immunocytochemistry, and immunoblot analysis with δ subunit-specific antibodies. The δ subunit mRNA was present at wild-type levels in the mutant granule cells, indicating a post-translational loss of the δ subunit. These results provide genetic evidence for a specific association between the α6 and δ subunits.

Journal article

Korpi ER, Mattila M, Wisden W, Luddens Het al., 1997, Correction: Clinical Efficacy and Selectivity of Benzodiazepine Site Ligands (Annals of Medicine (1997) 29 (275-282)), Annals of Medicine, Vol: 29, ISSN: 0785-3890

Journal article

Wisden W, Moss SJ, 1997, γ-Aminobutyric acid type a receptor subunit assembly sorting: Gene targeting and cell biology approaches, Biochemical Society Transactions, Vol: 25, Pages: 820-824, ISSN: 0300-5127

Journal article

Wisden W, Moss SJ, 1997, gamma-Aminobutyric acid type A receptor subunit assembly and sorting: gene targeting and cell biology approaches, Biochem Soc Trans, Vol: 25, Pages: 820-824, ISSN: 0300-5127

Journal article

Makela R, Uusi-Oukari M, Homanics GE, Quinlan JJ, Firestone LL, Wisden W, Korpi ERet al., 1997, Cerebellar gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptors: pharmacological subtypes revealed by mutant mouse lines, Mol Pharmacol, Vol: 52, Pages: 380-388, ISSN: 0026-895X

The vast molecular heterogeneity of brain gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptors forms the basis for receptor subtyping. Using autoradiographic techniques, we established the characteristics of cerebellar granule cell GABAA receptors by comparing wild-type mice with those with a targeted disruption of the alpha6 subunit gene. Cerebellar granule cells of alpha6(-/-) animals have severe deficits in high affinity [3H]muscimol and [3H]SR 95531 binding to GABA sites, in agonist-insensitive [3H]Ro 15-4513 binding to benzodiazepine sites, and in furosemide-induced increases in tert-[35S]butylbicyclophosphorothionate binding to picrotoxin-sensitive convulsant sites. These observations agree with the known specific properties of these sites on recombinant alpha6beta2/3gamma2 receptors. In the presence of GABA concentrations that fail to activate alpha1 subunit-containing receptors, methyl-6,7-dimethoxy-4-ethyl-beta-carboline (30 microM), allopregnanolone (100 nM), and Zn2+ (10 microM) are less efficacious in altering tert-[35S]butylbicyclophosphorothionate binding in the granule cell layer of the alpha6(-/-) than alpha6(+/+) animals. These data concur with the deficiency of the cerebellar alpha6 and delta subunit-containing receptors in the alpha6(-/-) animals and could also account for the decreased affinity of [3H]muscimol binding to alpha6(-/-) cerebellar membranes. Predicted additional alterations in the cerebellar receptors of the mutant mice may explain a surplus of methyl-6,7-dimethoxy-4-ethyl-beta-carboline-insensitive receptors in the alpha6(-/-) granule cell layer and an increased diazepam-sensitivity in the molecular layer. These changes may be adaptive consequences of altered GABAA receptor subunit expression patterns in response to the loss of two subunits (alpha and delta) from granule cells.

Journal article

Bahn S, Wisden W, 1997, A map of non-NMDA receptor subunit expression in the vertebrate brain derived from in situ hybridization histochemistry., The ionotropic glutamate receptors, Editors: Monaghan, Wenthold, Publisher: Humana Pr Inc, Pages: 149-187, ISBN: 9780896034563

The Ionotropic Glutamate Receptors provides the first detailed survey of the biochemical, physiological, and pharmacological properties of recombinant ...

Book chapter

Korpi ER, Wisden W, Luddens H, 1997, Better cure for anxiety, sleep disorders, epilepsy?/ Battre bot for oro, somnproblem, epilepsi?, Lakartidningen (Swedish Medical Society), Vol: 94, Pages: 3403-3408, ISSN: 0023-7205

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the most important inhibitory neurotransmitter, is characterised by rapid effects that are mediated via GABAA, receptors. These receptors are also targets for many drugs including benzodiazepines, barbiturates and general anaesthetics. Recognition of the heterogeneity of GABAA receptors has opened up new possibilities for the development of more selective therapeutic agents. In particular, subtype-specific receptor ligands varying in intrinsic activity are likely to give rise to fewer side effects than do currently available drugs.

Journal article

Korpi ER, Mattila MJ, Wisden W, Luddens Het al., 1997, GABA(A)-receptor subtypes: clinical efficacy and selectivity of benzodiazepine site ligands, Ann Med, Vol: 29, Pages: 275-282, ISSN: 0785-3890

The main inhibitory neurotransmitter receptor of the brain, the gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor (GABA[A]), mediates the actions of several classes of clinically important drugs, such as benzodiazepines, barbiturates and general anaesthetics. This review summarizes the current knowledge on how classical benzodiazepines and novel nonbenzodiazepine compounds act on the benzodiazepine site of GABA(A) receptors and on their clinical pharmacology related to anxiolytic, sedative, hypnotic and cognitive effects or side-effects. Partial agonism, receptor subtype selectivity and novel binding sites are discussed as possible strategies to develop new drugs with fewer adverse effects than are seen in the clinical use of benzodiazepines.

Journal article

Grant AL, Wisden W, 1997, Neuron-specific gene expression., Molecular biology of the neuron, Editors: Davies, Morris, Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA, Pages: 67-93, ISBN: 9781859962404

A valuable compendium of comprehensive and up-to-date reviews of neuronal molecularbiology by leading researchers in the field, this book focuses on genetic ...

Book chapter

Herb A, Wisden W, Catania MV, Marechal D, Dresse A, Seeburg PHet al., 1997, Prominent dendritic localization in forebrain neurons of a novel mRNA and its product, dendrin, Mol Cell Neurosc, Vol: 8, Pages: 367-374, ISSN: 1044-7431

A recently cloned rat brain cDNA derives from a novel gene, termed dendrin (DEN), expressed exclusively in forebrain structures, particularly in neocortex, olfactory bulb, hippocampus, caudate-putamen, and limbic system. In these structures, the cognate mRNA is present in neuronal cell bodies and their dendrites, whereas near exclusive dendritic localization is observed for the polypeptide product. In the hippocamus, DEN mRNA is highly expressed in the cell laminae and dendritic layers of the dentate gyrus and CA1 field, but expression is markedly reduced in the CA3 and CA4 areas. The predicted primary structure of the hydrophilic, highly basic 653-amino-acid polypeptide does not suggest a function. The restricted expression and dendritic location are compatible with a role for DEN in synaptic plasticity of central neocortical forebrain neurons.

Journal article

Grant AL, Wisden W, 1997, DNA regions supporting hippocalcin gene expression in cell lines, Brain Res Mol Brain Res, Vol: 52, Pages: 323-325, ISSN: 0169-328X

Journal article

Jones A, Korpi ER, McKernan RM, Pelz R, Nusser Z, Makela R, Mellor JR, Pollard S, Bahn S, Stephenson FA, Randall AD, Sieghart W, Somogyi P, Smith AJ, Wisden Wet al., 1997, Ligand-gated ion channel subunit partnerships: GABA-A receptor alpha6 subunit gene inactivation inhibits delta subunit expression, J Neurosci, Vol: 17, Pages: 1350-1362, ISSN: 0270-6474

Cerebellar granule cells express six GABA-A receptor subunits abundantly (alpha1, alpha6, beta2, beta3, gamma2, and delta) and assemble various pentameric receptor subtypes with unknown subunit compositions; however, the rules guiding receptor subunit assembly are unclear. Here, removal of intact alpha6 protein from cerebellar granule cells allowed perturbations in other subunit levels to be studied. Exon 8 of the mouse alpha6 subunit gene was disrupted by homologous recombination. In alpha6 -/- granule cells, the delta subunit was selectively degraded as seen by immunoprecipitation, immunocytochemistry, and immunoblot analysis with delta subunit-specific antibodies. The delta subunit mRNA was present at wild-type levels in the mutant granule cells, indicating a post-translational loss of the delta subunit. These results provide genetic evidence for a specific association between the alpha6 and delta subunits. Because in alpha6 -/- neurons the remaining alpha1, beta2/3, and gamma2 subunits cannot rescue the delta subunit, certain potential subunit combinations may not be found in wild-type cells.

Journal article

Bahn S, Jones A, Wisden W, 1997, Directing gene expression to cerebellar granule cells using gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor alpha6 subunit transgenes, Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, Vol: 94, Pages: 9417-9421, ISSN: 0027-8424

Journal article

Bahn S, Harvey RJ, Darlison MG, Wisden Wet al., 1996, Conservation of gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor alpha 6 subunit gene expression in cerebellar granule cells, J Neurochem, Vol: 66, Pages: 1810-1818, ISSN: 0022-3042

Journal article

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