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NMDA Receptors Contribute to Postnatal Developmental Downregulation of Connexin Expressions in the Rat Locus Coeruleus

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Abstract

It has been shown that during postnatal development, gap junctions decrease. This phenomenon overlaps with the major period of chemical synapse formation and increased synaptic activity during postnatal weeks 1–3. In current study, the expression of connexin 36 (Cx36), Cx32, and Cx43 proteins in locus coeruleus (LC) was examined using Western blot analysis in (postnatal day) PND14 and PND28 following blockade of NMDA receptors in rats to evaluate the role of these receptors in the expression of Cxs. MK801, as an NMDA receptor antagonist, was injected subcutaneously from the first day of birth until 14 or 28 days depending on the experimental groups. The control group received a saline injection in the same volume. Expression of Cxs declined in PND28 compared to PND14 in LC neurons. Also, we found that the expression of Cx36, Cx32, and Cx43 augmented in the rats’ LC in PND14 and PND28 following the blockade of NMDA receptors. The present results suggest that the activity of NMDA receptors may contribute to the downregulation of Cx36, Cx32, and Cx43 in LC during postnatal development.

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Funding

The authors thank Tarbiat Modares University for financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neuroscience, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Masoumeh Kourosh-Arami

  2. Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

    Masoumeh Kourosh-Arami, Saeed Semnanian & Mohammad Javan

Authors
  1. Masoumeh Kourosh-Arami
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  2. Saeed Semnanian
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  3. Mohammad Javan
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Contributions

MKA, SS, and MJ were responsible for the study concept and design. MKA performed the experiments. SS was responsible for provision of study materials and equipment, study validation, and supervision. MKA and MJ assisted with data analysis and interpretation of findings. MKA and MJ drafted the manuscript. All authors critically reviewed content and approved final version for publication.

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Correspondence to Masoumeh Kourosh-Arami or Saeed Semnanian.

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Kourosh-Arami, M., Semnanian, S. & Javan, M. NMDA Receptors Contribute to Postnatal Developmental Downregulation of Connexin Expressions in the Rat Locus Coeruleus. Iran J Sci 47, 369–374 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40995-023-01423-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40995-023-01423-9

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