Developmental expression of glycine receptor subunits in rat cerebellum.

The distribution of the glycine receptor subunits alpha1-3 and beta in the developing rat cerebellum was studied from postnatal day 1 to adulthood by means of quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. qRT-PCR of postnatal cerebella indicated the presence of mRNA for each subunit, with a relative expression of alpha2>alpha3>alpha1>beta. The immunohistochemistry indicated a strong alpha2 signal in the Purkinje cells, internal and external granular layers. The alpha1-3 subunits had weak signals in the Purkinje cells and molecular layer. The alpha1 subunit was expressed at a low level and was also found in the white matter. The function of these receptors in neuronal and glial plasma membranes in early postnatal development remains to be determined.