Tg(Thy1-GLRA1)783Wha

This transgene contains a cDNA encoding the human glycine receptor alpha 1 subunit. The human cDNA has replaced, in an expression vector, a segment of the mouse thymus antigen 1 gene whose deletion limits expression to neurons. RT-PCR using primers that amplify both mouse and human Glra1/GLRA1 cDNA demonstrates elevated mRNA expression in the spinal cord and forebrain of transgenic versus wild-type mice. In situ hybridization analysis confirms higher expression in transgenic brains and reveals sites of ectopic expression. While competition between endogenous and transgene-derived alpha 1 receptor subunits for endogenous beta subunits confounds quantitative ligand-binding analysis, presence of complete receptors at sites of ectopic GLRA1 mRNA expression in transgenic, but not wild-type, brains is shown by competitive and non-competitive ligand binding to frozen brain sections. (J:76009)