Expression of glycine receptor subunits in the cochlear nucleus and superior olivary complex using non-radioactive in-situ hybridization.

The distribution of glycine receptor (GlyR) subunit mRNAs was examined in the cochlear nucleus (CN) and superior olivary complex of 5-6-week-old and 8-10-week-old rats using a non-radioactive in-situ hybridization method. In the younger rats, GlyR alpha 1-, alpha 2-, and alpha 3- and beta-subunits were observed in all major ventral cochlear nucleus (VCN) and superior olivary complex (SOC) neurons, while only alpha 1-, alpha 3- and beta-subunits were observed in dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN) neurons. In 8-10-week-old rats, GlyR alpha 1-, alpha 3- and beta-subunits were observed in all major CN and SOC neurons, while mRNA for GlyR alpha 2-subunit was not observed. These results indicate that GlyR is being expressed all major CN and SOC neurons, with alpha 1-, alpha 3- and beta-subunit components of the mature receptor and the alpha 2-subunit, a component of the immature GlyR, which is not down-regulated until after 6 weeks of age in most CN and SOC neurons.