Differential expression of GABA_A/benzodiazepine receptor subunit mRNAs and ligand binding sites in mouse cerebellar neurons following in vivo ethanol administration: An autoradiographic analysis

The γ-aminobutyric acid_A (GABA_A)/benzodiazepine (BZ) receptor is a pentamer composed of subunits belonging to several classes (α_1-6, β_1-4, γ_1-4, δ, and ρ₁ and ρ₂). In situ hybridization, radioligand autoradiography, and immunocytochemistry were used to examine GABA_A/BZ receptor α₁, α₆, β₂, β₃, and γ₂ subunit expression in murine Purkinje, granule, and deep cerebellar neurons after in vivo ethanol exposure. Chronic ethanol treatment resulted in decreased α₁ subunit mRNA expression in each cell type, whereas the expression of α₆ and γ₂ subunit mRNA levels increased; no changes were observed in the expression of β₂ and β₃ subunit mRNA. GABA and BZ agonist binding and antibody staining paralleled the changes in mRNA levels. Acute ethanol injection resulted in increased expression of α₁ and β₃ mRNAs, whereas levels of α₆, β₂, and γ₂ mRNAs remained stable. Our results indicate that, in cerebellar neurons, the expression of specific GABA_A/BZ receptor subunit mRNAs, polypeptides, and binding sites is independently regulated by in vivo administration of alcohol. The observed changes were not restricted to any one cerebellar cell type, because subunit expression in Purkinje, granule, and deep cerebellar cells was similarly affected.