J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2003 Sep;44(9):2153-2160.

Changes of mRNA Expression of Dopamine Receptor in the Visually Deprivated Rat Striatum

• Seo SW
• Yoo JM

Abstract

PURPOSE
To investigate the changes of the dopaminergic system in rat striatum after visual deprivation during a critical period of postnatal development. METHODS: The changes of dopamine D1 and D2 receptor (Rc) mRNA were investigated by using Northern blot analysis, in situ hybridization in the rat striatum. The right eyelid of visually deprivated rat was sutured at 10 postnatal days. After visual deprivation for 4 weeks, rats were sacrificed and striatum tissues were removed for analysis.
RESULTS
By Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization, decreased expression of D1 and D2 Rc mRNA was noted in the ipsilateral striatum to the deprivated eye.
CONCLUSIONS
These results have shown that visual deprivation during a critical period of postnatal development influences the dopaminergic system in the striatum.

Keyword

Dopamine receptor mRNA; Striatum; Visual deprivation

MeSH Terms

Animals
Blotting, Northern
Critical Period (Psychology)
Dopamine*
Eyelids
In Situ Hybridization
Rats*
Receptors, Dopamine*
RNA, Messenger*
Dopamine
RNA, Messenger
Receptors, Dopamine