EM colocalization of AMPA and NMDA receptor subunits at synapses in rat cerebral cortex

Neurosci Lett. 1996 May 24;210(1):37-40. doi: 10.1016/0304-3940(96)12658-6.

Abstract

Electrophysiology and light microscopy suggest that a single excitatory synapse may use both amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionate (AMPA) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. Using immunogold electron microscopy, we here provide direct evidence for colocalization at individual synapses in sensorimotor cortex of adult rats. Colocalization was most commonly observed on dendritic spines; subunits of the two classes of receptors seemed to be independently distributed within the synaptic active zone.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cerebral Cortex / chemistry*
  • Dendrites / chemistry
  • Dendrites / ultrastructure
  • Glutamic Acid / physiology
  • Gold Colloid
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Immunoelectron
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Receptors, AMPA / ultrastructure*
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / ultrastructure*
  • Synapses / chemistry*
  • Synapses / ultrastructure

Substances

  • Gold Colloid
  • Receptors, AMPA
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
  • Glutamic Acid