Cortical NMDAR-1 gene expression is rapidly upregulated after seizure

The promoter region of the NMDAR-1 receptor has a cis-regulatory element that is capable of binding to the NGFI-A family of transcription factors. Based on this observation, we hypothesized that situations that cause a change in NGFI-A levels would result in a change in NMDAR-1 expression. in these studies, we have demonstrated that a seizure results in a rapid significant increase in NMDAR-1 mRNA and protein expression, at a time when NGFI-A protein levels are expected to be elevated. Our results indicate that control of NMDAR-1 expression is stimulus, time and tissue dependent.