NKCC1, an Elusive Molecular Target in Brain Development: Making Sense of the Existing Data.

ABSTRACT: Ionotropic GABA transmission is mediated by anion (mainly Cl-)-permeable GABAA receptors (GABAARs). In immature neurons, GABA exerts depolarizing and sometimes functionally excitatory actions, based on active uptake of Cl- by the Na-K-2Cl cotransporter NKCC1. While functional evidence firmly shows NKCC1-mediated ion transport in immature and diseased neurons, molecular detection of NKCC1 in the brain has turned out to be extremely difficult. In this review, we describe the highly inconsistent data that are available on the cell type-specific expression patterns of the NKCC1 mRNA and protein in the CNS. We discuss the major technical caveats, including a lack of knock-out-controlled immunohistochemistry in the forebrain, possible effects of alternative splicing on the binding of antibodies

SUBMITTER: Virtanen MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7761970 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature