chronic zinc exposure decreases the surface expression of nr2a-containing nmda receptors in cultured hippocampal neurons慢性接触减少锌的表面表达nr2a-containing培养的海马神经元nmda受体.pdfVIP

Chronic Zinc Exposure Decreases the Surface Expression of NR2A-Containing NMDA Receptors in Cultured Hippocampal Neurons 1. 1. 1 1 1 1 1 Jia Zhu , Chong-Yu Shao , Wei Yang , Xiao-Min Zhang , Zhen-Yong Wu , Liang Zhou , Xin-Xin Wang , 3 2 1 1 Yun-Hong Li , Jun Xia , Jian-Hong Luo , Ying Shen * 1 Department of Neurobiology, Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of Ministry of Health, Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China, 2 Department of Biochemistry, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China, 3 Department of Neurobiology, Center of Scientific Technology, Cranial Cerebral Disease Lab, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, People’s Republic of China Abstract Background: Zinc distributes widely in the central nervous system, especially in the hippocampus, amygdala and cortex. The dynamic balance of zinc is critical for neuronal functions. Zinc modulates the activity of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) through the direct inhibition and various intracellular signaling pathways. Abnormal NMDAR activities have been implicated in the aetiology of many brain diseases. Sustained zinc accumulation in the extracellular fluid is known to link to pathological conditions. However, the mechanism linking this chronic zinc exposure and NMDAR dysfunction is poorly understood. Methodology/Principal Findings: We reported that chronic zinc exposure reduced the numbers of NR1 and NR2A clusters in cultured hippocampal pyramidal neurons. Whole-cell and synaptic NR2A-mediated currents al