Downregulation of [GABA.sub.A] receptor protein subunits α6, β2, δ, ζ, γ2, θ, and ρ2 in superior frontal cortex of subjects with autism

• Published in: Journal of autism and developmental disorders Vol. 44; no. 8; pp. 1833 - 1845
• Main Authors: Fatemi, S. Hossein, Reutiman, Teri J, Folsom, Timothy D, Rustan, Oyvind G, Rooney, Robert J, Thuras, Paul D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Springer 01.08.2014
• Subjects: Autism; Development and progression; GABA; Risk factors; United States
• ISSN: 0162-3257
• DOI: 10.1007/s10803-014-2078-x

We measured protein and mRNA levels for nine gamma-aminobutyric acid A ([GABA.sub.A]) receptor subunits in three brain regions (cerebellum, superior frontal cortex, and parietal cortex) in subjects with autism versus matched controls. We observed changes in mRNA for a number of [GABA.sub.A] and [GABA.sub.B] subunits and overall reduced protein expression for [GABA.sub.A] receptor alpha 6 (GABRα6), [GABA.sub.A] receptor beta 2 (GABRβ2), [GABA.sub.A] receptor delta (GABRδ), [GABA.sub.A] receptor epsilon (GABRζ), [GABA.sub.A] receptor gamma 2 (GABRγ2), [GABA.sub.A] receptor theta (GABRθ), and [GABA.sub.A] receptor rho 2 (GABRρ2) in superior frontal cortex from subjects with autism. Our data demonstrate systematic changes in [GABA.sub.A&B] subunit expression in brains of subjects with autism, which may help explain the presence of cognitive abnormalities in subjects with autism.