Perinatal exposure to PTU delays switching from NR2B to NR2A subunits of the NMDA receptor in the rat cerebellum

PTU induced up-regulation of NR2B mRNA and down-regulation of NR2A and BDNF mRNAs in the cerebellum on PND 22, but there were no changes in the other genes (growth associated protein-43, L1, neuronal cell adhesion molecule, synaptophysin, post synaptic density-95). Examination of the effects of PTU on maturation of NMDAR subunits (NR2A/NR2B) demonstrated changes in relative expression on PND 14, but not on PND 4, with recovery after maturation. The profile of NMDAR subunits in vehicle-dosed rats showed a shift from NR2B to NR2A during development. These results suggest PTU can delay this switching from NR2B to NR2A subunits in the maturation of NMDA receptors.