The N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor dysfunction in the brain of aged animals has been revealed.
In older rodents, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 2B subunit gene expression declines significantly associated with memory impairment.
To further reveal this process, Dr. Chunxia Li and colleagues from East China Normal University, China analyzed gene expression profiles in the neocortex of aged Tg mice.
Pathway and signal-net analyses identified multiple pathways altered in the transgenic mice. Further signal-net analysis highlighted the P53 and insulin-like growth factor pathways as key regulatory pathways.
Meanwhile, these results were verified deeply by fluorescent quantitative PCR Technique and western blot.
These experimental findings, published in Neural Regeneration Research (Vol. 8, No. 29, 2013), provide new insight into understanding the molecular mechanisms of NR2B regulated age-related memory storage, normal organismal aging and age-related disease.