Selective clustering of glutamate and γ-aminobutyric acid receptors opposite terminals releasing the corresponding neurotransmitters

Ann Marie Craig, Craig D. Blackstone, Richard L. Huganir, Gary Banker

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

230 Scopus citations

Abstract

Several immunocytochemical and physiological studies have demonstrated a concentration of neurotransmitter receptors at postsynaptic sites on neurons, but an overall picture of receptor distribution has not emerged. In particular, it has not been clear whether receptor clusters are selectively localized opposite terminals that release the corresponding neurotransmitter. By using antibodies against the excitatory glutamate receptor subunit GluR1 and the inhibitory type A γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor β2/3 subunits, we show that these different receptor types cluster at distinct postsynaptic sites on cultured rat hippocampal neurons. The GABA(A) receptor β2/3 subunits clustered on cell bodies and dendritic shafts opposite GABAergic terminals, whereas GluR1 clustered mainly on dendritic spines and was associated with glutamatergic synapses. Chronic blockade of evoked transmitter release did not block receptor clustering at postsynaptic sites. These results suggest that complex mechanisms involving nerve terminal- specific signals are required to allow different postsynaptic receptor types to cluster opposite only appropriate presynaptic terminals.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)12373-12377
Number of pages5
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume91
Issue number26
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 20 1994

Keywords

  • dendrite
  • hippocampus
  • neuronal culture
  • postsynaptic site
  • synaptogenesis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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