Differential expression of GABAAreceptor subunit mRNAs and ligand binding sites in rat brain following phencyclidine administration

Recent biochemical observations have suggested the abnormalities in the γ‐amino‐butyric acid (GABA)ergic system in schizophrenic brains. In the present study, we investigated the subunits gene expressions and ligand binding of the GABAAreceptor following acute and chronic administration of phencyclidine (PCP), which induces schizophrenia‐like symptoms, in rats using in situ hybridization and in vitro quantitative autoradiography. PCP i.p. administration at a daily dose of 7.5 mg/kg resulted in a significant decrease in expression of α1 subunit mRNA in cerebral cortices (cingulate (‐13%) and temporal cortex (‐6%)) and hippocampal formation (CA1 (‐11%), CA2 (‐10%), CA3 (‐11%) and dentate gyrus (‐12%)) 1 h after a single treatment. In the repeated PCP administrations for 14 days, the expression of β2 mRNA in the cerebellum (‐10%) and of β3 mRNA in the cerebral cortices (cingulate (‐12%), parietal (‐16%) and temporal cortex (‐16%), caudate putamen (‐18%), inferior colliculus (‐18%), and cerebellum (‐15%) were significantly decreased. In addition, [35S]t‐butylbicyclophosphorothionate (TBPS) binding was also reduced in layer IV of the frontoparietal cortex (‐14%), inferior colliculus (‐17%), and cerebellum (‐12%) following chronic PCP treatment, while no changes were observed following acute PCP treatment. These results indicate that single and repeated administrations of PCP independently regulate the expression of GABAA/benzodiazepine (BZD) receptor subunits mRNA and its receptor binding in the brain. Synapse 38:51–60, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.