Neurological disorders: Microglia - major players in Rett syndrome?

摘要

A new study shows that the shift in intracellular chloride concentration ([Cl~-].) that occurs in the early postnatal period of mammalian neuronal development may regulate GABA_A receptor (GABA_AR) subunit composition. In immature murine cerebellar granule cells, overexpression of K~+-Cl~- cotransporter (KCC2) - which promotes a low [Cl~-]_i- was associated with a shift in ct3 to al GABA_AR subunit expression and an increase in 6 subunit levels. Conversely, KCC2 down regulation increased a3 and lowered 8 subunit levels. Thus, the [Cl~-]. may provide a GABA-independent means of tuning phasic and tonic inhibition, mediated by a- and 6-containing GABA Rs, respectively.