实验性癫痫时海马内一氧化氮合酶的变化及其与谷氨酸受体的关系

应用免疫组织化学方法观察了青霉素致痫时海马内神经元型一氧化氮合酶（ｎＮＯＳ）表达的时程变化及海马内微量注射ＮＭＤＡ受体拮抗剂ＭＫ－８０１（５－ｍｅｔｈｙｌ－１０,１１－ｄｉｈｙｄｒｏ－５Ｈ－ｄｉｂｅｎｚｏ［ａ,ｄ］ｃｙｃｌｏｈｅｐｔａｎ－５,１０－ｉｍｉｎｅｍａｌｅａｔｅ）和非ＮＭＤＡ受体拮抗剂ＤＮＱＸ（６,７－ｄｉｎｉｔｒｏｑｕｉｎｏｘａｌｉｎｅ－２,３－ｄｉｏｎｅ）对大鼠海马内ｎＮＯＳ表达的影     

全球气候变化与水稻

全球气候变化与水稻林伟宏,白克智,匡廷云（中国科学院植物研究所,北京,１０００４４）ＧＬＯＢＡＬＣＬＩＭＡＴＥＣＨＡＮＧＥＡＮＤＲＩＣＥＬｉｎＷｅｉ－ｈｏｎｇ;ＢａｉＫｅ－ｚｈｉ;ＫｕａｎｇＴｉｎｇ－ｙｕｎ（ＩｎｓｔｉｔｕｔｅｏｆＢｏｔａｎｙ,Ａｃａ...     

根田鼠肾上腺皮质酮水平的日节律及急性低氧的影响

根田鼠肾上腺皮质酮水平的日节律及急性低氧的影响ＴＨＥＣＩＲＣＡＤＩＡＮＲＨＹＴＨＭＯＦＣＯＲＴＩＣＯＳＴＥＲＯＮＥＬＥＶＥＬＡＮＤＥＦＦＥＣＴＯＦＨＹＰＯＸＩＡＯＮＲＯＯＴＶＯＬＥ（ＭＩＣＲＯＴＵＳＯＥＣＯＮＯＭＵＳ）根田鼠（Ｍｉｃｒｏｔｕｓｏｅｃ...     

Changes of Con A Receptor Sites on Mammalian Sperms during Capacitation and Acrosome Reaction

ＣｈａｎｇｅｓｏｆＣｏｎＡＲｅｃｅｐｔｏｒＳｉｔｅｓｏｎＭａｍｍａｌｉａｎＳｐｅｒｍｓｄｕｒｉｎｇＣａｐａｃｉｔａｔｉｏｎａｎｄＡｃｒｏｓｏｍｅＲｅａｃｔｉｏｎＤＵＡＮＣｈｏｎｇ－ｗｅｎ（段崇文）,ＣＨＥＮＤａ－ｙｕａｎ（陈大元）（ＳｔａｔｅＫｅｙＬ...     

氧化修饰高密度脂蛋白对培养人动脉平滑肌细胞细胞周期蛋白D_1基因表达的影响

动脉平滑肌细胞（ｓｍ ｏｏｔｈ ｍ ｕｓｃｌｅ ｃｅｌｌ,ＳＭＣ）是动脉粥样硬化（ａｔｈｅｒｏｓｃｌｅｒｏｓｉｓ,ＡＳ）斑块中的主要细胞,它的增殖在ＡＳ形成过程中极其重要．利用体外培养的人主动脉ＳＭＣ,观察了天然高密度脂蛋白（ｎａｔｉｖｅ ｈｉｇｈ ｄｅｎｓｉｔｙ ｌｉｐｏｐｒｏｔｅｉｎ,Ｎ－ＨＤＬ）及氧化修饰ＨＤＬ（ｏｘｉｄｉｚｅｄ ＨＤＬ,ＯＸ－ＨＤＬ）对培养人主动脉ＳＭＣ ｃｙｃｌｉｎ Ｄ１（细胞周期蛋白Ｄ１）基因转录表达的影响．结果表明：（１）Ｎ－ＨＤＬ对ＳＭＣｃｙｃｌｉｎ Ｄ１基因表达无影响（Ｐ＞ ０．０５）;（２）ＯＸ－ＨＤＬ使ＳＭＣｃｙｃｌｉｎ Ｄ１基因表达显著增强（Ｐ＜０．０１）,其表达量随时间（２、１２、２４ ｈ）延长而增加．上述结果表明,ＯＸ－ＨＤＬ的致ＡＳ作用可能与其刺激ＳＭＣｃｙｃｌｉｎ Ｄ１基因表达增加有关．     

芦荟凝集素的分离、纯化和部分性质的研究

新鲜芦荟叶（Ａｌｏｅ ｖｅｒａ Ｌ．ｖａｒ．ｃｈｉｎｅｎｓｉｓ（Ｈａｗ．）Ｂｅｒｇｅｒ）于室温用低浓度ＮａＣｌ溶液提取。离心和透析后,经Ｎ－乙酰氨基葡萄糖０Ｓｅｐｈａｒｏｓｅ ４Ｂ亲和层析,分离纯化出芦荟凝集素（ＡＣＬ）。用ＳｅｐｈａｄｅｘＧ－１００测表观分子量为３５ＫＤ,ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ出现两条色带;染色 ;宽带和较浅的罕带。亚基分子量分别为１５ＫＤ和２０ＫＤ。能专一性凝集兔血细胞和人血红细胞     

L－NNA和还原型Hb对SHRsp肠系膜动脉内皮依赖性舒张的影响

我们以往的工作证实成年自发高血压大鼠（ＳＨＲ与ＳＨＲｓｐ）肠系膜动脉由乙酰胆碱引起的内皮依赖性舒张（ＥＤＲ）减弱。为进一步探讨ＥＤＲ减弱的机制，本文观察了一氧化氮（ＮＯ）合成酶抑制剂左旋硝基精氨酸（Ｌ－ＮＮＡ）及ＥＤＲＦ灭活剂还原型血红蛋白（ＲＨｂ）对卒中易感型自发高血压大鼠（ＳＨＲｓｐ）与常压对照（ＷＫＹ）大鼠肠系膜动脉ＡＣｈ内皮依赖性舒张（ＥＤＲ）的影响。发现Ｌ－ＮＮＡ（１０（－３）ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）可使ＳＨＲｓｐ弱于ＷＫＹ的ＡＣｈＥＤＲ（１０（－８）－１０（－５）ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）的差异消失，ＲＨｂ（１０（－５）ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）则仅在１０（－７）－１０（－８）ｍｏｌ／ＬＡＣｈ时使ＳＨＲ（ｓｐ）肠系膜动脉ＥＤＲ弱于ＷＫＹ的差异消失。将ＷＫＹ在加入Ｌ－ＮＮＡ后的与加入ＲＨｂ后的ＡＣｈ（１０（－８）－１０（－５）ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）ＥＤＲ进行比较，无显著差异。而将ＳＨＲｓｐ在Ｌ－ＮＮＡ后的与ＲＨｂ后的ＡＣｈ（１０（－８）－１０（－６）ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）ＥＤＲ进行比较，则有显著差异。并且，ＳＨＲｓｐ的有内皮肠系膜动脉条对ＲＨｂ的敏感性与ＷＫＹ接近，对Ｌ－ＮＮＡ的敏感性则低于ＷＫＹ。表明高血压时肠系膜动脉内皮依赖性舒张减弱中，ＥＤＲＦ机制与     

番茄叶片胞外β-N-乙酰氨基己糖苷酶的部分性质研究

用从系统感染ＴＭＶ（ｔｏｂａｃｃｏ ｍ ｏｓａｉｃ ｖｉｒｕｓ）的番茄叶胞外蛋白提取液中纯化的β－Ｎ－乙酰氨基己糖苷酶为材料,研究了该酶的部分性质。以ｐ－硝基苯基－Ｎ－乙酰－β－Ｄ－氨基葡萄糖苷（ｐＮＰ－β－Ｄ－ＧｌｃＮＡｃ）或ｐ－硝基苯基－Ｎ－乙酰－β－Ｄ－氨基半乳糖苷（ｐＮＰ－β－Ｄ－ＧａｌＮＡｃ）为底物,该酶的最适ｐＨ在４．８—５．０ 之间,最适温度在４４—４７℃之间。对酶的热稳定性研究表明,温度对酶的热变性作用表现为两相变性曲线,Ｋｍ 值分别为０．３６ ｍ ｍ ｏｌ／Ｌ （ｐＮＰ－β－Ｄ－ＧｌｃＮＡｃ为底物）和０．６７ ｍ ｍ ｏｌ／Ｌ （ｐＮＰ－β－Ｄ－ＧａｌＮＡｃ 为底物）,Ｎ－乙酰氨基葡萄糖（ＧｌｃＮＡｃ）和Ｎ－乙酰氨基半乳糖（ＧａｌＮＡｃ）是酶活性的竞争性抑制剂,Ａｇ＋ 和Ｈｇ２＋ 是酶活性的强抑制剂,金属离子Ｆｅ２＋ 、Ｆｅ３＋ 和Ｃｕ２＋ 也抑制酶活性。     

白头叶猴的性比与社会结构

白头叶猴的性比与社会结构ＳＴＵＤＹＯＮＳＥＸＲＡＴＩＯＡＮＤＳＯＣＩＯ－ＳＴＲＵＣＴＵＲＥＯＦＦＷＨＩＴＥ－ＨＥＡＤＥＤＬＥＡＦＭＯＮＫＥＹＫｅｙｗｏｒｄｓＷｈｉｔｅ－ｈｅａｄｅｄｌｅａｆｍｏｎｋｅｙ;Ｓｅｘｒａｔｉｏ;Ｓｏｃｉｏ－ｓｔｒｕｃｔｕｒｅ...     

烟草Z诱导株的生长及开花

烟草Ｚ诱导株的生长及开花姚坤林,孟繁静（北京农大生物学院,北京１０００９４）ＧＲＯＷＴＨＡＮＤＦＬＯＷＥＩＮＧＯＦＴＨＥＲＥＧＥＮＥＲＡＴＥＤＰＬＡＮＴＳＩＮＤＵＣＥＤＢＹＺＥＡＲＡＬＥＮＯＮＥ￥ＹａｏＫｕｎ－ｌｉｎ;ＭｅｎｇＦａｎ－Ｊｉｎｇ（Ｃｏｌ...     

脑缺血／再灌对海马磷酸酪氨酸蛋白含量的影响及其机制的研究

目的和方法：采用蒙古沙土鼠双侧颈总动脉结扎（BCAO）前脑缺血模型,研究N－甲基D－门冬氨酸（NMDA）受体（NR）非竞争性拮抗剂氯胺酮（ketamine,KT)、L－型电压门控钙离子通道（L－type voltage gatd calcium channel,L型VGCC）拮抗剂硝苯吡啶（Nifedipine ND）及非NR拮抗剂6,7－二硝基喹恶啉上卫四（6,7－dinitroquinoxaline-2,3dione DNQX)对沙土鼠脑缺血及缺血／再灌海马可溶性（S3）、突触体（P2）和颗粒性（P3）部分中磷酸酪氨酸蛋白（p-tyr-pr）含量变化的影响。结果：①缺血15min,三部分（P2,P3,S3）p-tyr-pr含量均下降,而S3部分p-tyr-pr含量下降更明显;随着脑缺血再灌时间的延长,三部分P-tyr-Pr含量均逐渐升高。S3部分恢复快,P2与P3部分相比,升高的速度较慢,但升高的幅度较大,且再灌后期变化不大;②脑缺血前腹腔注射KT或ND,均可部分地拮抗缺血再灌引起的p-tyr-pr含量的升高,而DNQX对此无影响。结论：缺血／再灌引起的p-tyr-pr变化与NR通道及L型VGCC有关,而与非NR无关。     

Transient ischemia enhances tyrosine phosphorylation and binding of the NMDA receptor to the Src homology 2 domain of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in the rat hippocampus

Tyrosine phosphorylation of the NMDA receptor has been implicated in the regulation of the receptor channel. We investigated the effects of transient (15 min) global ischemia on tyrosine phosphorylation of NMDA receptor subunits NR2A and NR2B, and the interaction of NR2 subunits with the SH2 domain of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) in vulnerable CA1 and resistant CA3/dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. Transient ischemia induced a marked increase in the tyrosine phosphorylation of NR2A in both regions. The tyrosine phosphorylation of NR2B in CA3/dentate gyrus after transient ischemia was sustained and greater than that in CA1. PI3-kinase p85 was co-precipitated with NR2B after transient global ischemia. The SH2 domain of the p85 subunit of PI3-kinase bound to NR2B, but not to NR2A. Binding to NR2B was increased following ischemia and the increase in binding in CA3/dentate gyrus (4.5-fold relative to sham) was greater than in CA1 (1.7-fold relative to sham) at 10 min of reperfusion. Prior incubation of proteins with an exogenous protein tyrosine phosphatase or with a phosphorylated peptide (pYAHM) prevented binding. The results suggest that sustained increases in tyrosine phosphorylation and increased interaction of NR2B with the SH2 domain of PI3-kinase may contribute to altered signal transduction in the CA3/dentate gyrus after transient ischemia.     

Transient Ischemia Differentially Increases Tyrosine Phosphorylation of NMDA Receptor Subunits 2A and 2B

Abstract: Activation of the N -methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) receptor has been implicated in the events leading to ischemia-induced neuronal cell death. Recent studies have indicated that the properties of the NMDA receptor channel may be regulated by tyrosine phosphorylation. We have therefore examined the effects of transient cerebral ischemia on the tyrosine phosphorylation of NMDA receptor subunits NR2A and NR2B in different regions of the rat brain. Transient (15 min) global ischemia was produced by the four-vessel occlusion procedure. The tyrosine phosphorylation of NR2A and NR2B subunits was examined by immunoprecipitation with anti-tyrosine phosphate antibodies followed by immunoblotting with antibodies specific for NR2A or NR2B, and by immunoprecipitation with subunit-specific antibodies followed by immunoblotting with anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies. Transient ischemia followed by reperfusion induced large (23–29-fold relative to sham-operated controls), rapid (within 15 min of reperfusion), and sustained (for at least 24 h) increases in the tyrosine phosphorylation of NR2A and smaller increases in that of NR2B in the hippocampus. Ischemia-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of NR2 subunits in the hippocampus was higher than that of cortical and striatal NR2 subunits. The enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation of NR2A or NR2B may contribute to alterations in NMDA receptor function or in signaling pathways in the postischemic brain and may be related to pathogenic events leading to neuronal death.     

mGluR1 antagonist decreases tyrosine phosphorylation of NMDA receptor and attenuates infarct size after transient focal cerebral ischemia

The contribution of metabotropic glutamate receptors to brain injury after in vivo cerebral ischemia remains to be determined. We investigated the effects of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGluR1) antagonist LY367385 on brain injury after transient (90 min) middle cerebral artery occlusion in the rat and sought to explore their mechanisms. The intravenous administration of LY367385 (10 mg/kg) reduced the infarct volume at 24 h after the start of reperfusion. As the Gq-coupled mGluR1 receptor is known to activate the PKC/Src family kinase cascade, we focused on changes in the activation and amount of these kinases. Transient focal ischemia increased the amount of activated tyrosine kinase Src and PKC in the post-synaptic density (PSD) at 4 h of reperfusion. The administration of LY367385 attenuated the increases in the amounts of PSD-associated PKCγ and Src after transient focal ischemia. We further investigated phosphorylation of the NMDA receptor, which is a major target of Src family kinases to modulate the function of the receptor. Transient focal ischemia increased the tyrosine phosphorylation of NMDA receptor subunits NR2A and NR2B. Tyrosine phosphorylation of NR2A, but not that of NR2B, in the PSD at 4 h of reperfusion was inhibited by LY367385. These results suggest that the mGluR1 after transient focal ischemia is involved in the activation of Src, which may be linked to the modification of properties of the NMDA receptor and the development of cerebral infarction.     

The N-Methyl-d-Aspartate Receptor Subunits NR2A and NR2B Bind to the SH2 Domains of Phospholipase C-γ

Abstract: The NMDA receptor has recently been found to be phosphorylated on tyrosine. To assess the possible connection between tyrosine phosphorylation of the NMDA receptor and signaling pathways in the postsynaptic cell, we have investigated the relationship between tyrosine phosphorylation and the binding of NMDA receptor subunits to the SH2 domains of phospholipase C-γ (PLC-γ). A glutathione S -transferase (GST) fusion protein containing both the N- and the C-proximal SH2 domains of PLC-γ was bound to glutathione-agarose and reacted with synaptic junctional proteins and glycoproteins. Tyrosine-phosphorylated PSD-GP180, which has been identified as the NR2B subunit of the NMDA receptor, bound to the SH2-agarose beads in a phosphorylation-dependent fashion. Immunoblot analysis with antibodies specific for individual NMDA receptor subunits showed that both NR2A and NR2B subunits bound to the SH2-agarose. No binding occurred to GST-agarose lacking an associated SH2 domain, indicating that binding was specific for the SH2 domains. The binding of receptor subunits increased after the incubation of synaptic junctions with ATP and decreased after treatment of synaptic junctions with exogenous protein tyrosine phosphatase. Immunoprecipitation experiments confirmed that NR2A and NR2B were phosphorylated on tyrosine and further that tyrosine phosphorylation of each of the subunits was increased after incubation with ATP. The results demonstrate that NMDA receptor subunits NR2A and NR2B will bind to the SH2 domains of PLC-γ and that isolated synaptic junctions contain endogenous protein tyrosine kinase(s) that can phosphorylate both NR2A and NR2B receptor subunits, and suggest that interaction of the tyrosine-phosphorylated NMDA receptor with proteins that contain SH2 domains may serve to link it to signaling pathways in the postsynaptic cell.     

Neuroprotection of GluR5-containing kainate receptor activation against ischemic brain injury through decreasing tyrosine phosphorylation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors mediated by Src kinase

Previous studies indicate that cerebral ischemia breaks the dynamic balance between excitatory and inhibitory inputs. The neural excitotoxicity induced by ionotropic glutamate receptors gain the upper hand during ischemia-reperfusion. In this paper, we investigate whether GluR5 (glutamate receptor 5)-containing kainate receptor activation could lead to a neuroprotective effect against ischemic brain injury and the related mechanism. The results showed that (RS)-2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-tert-butylisoxazol-4-yl) propanoic acid (ATPA), a selective GluR5 agonist, could suppress Src tyrosine phosphorylation and interactions among N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunit 2A (NR2A), postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD-95), and Src and then decrease NMDA receptor activation through attenuating tyrosine phosphorylation of NR2A and NR2B. More importantly, ATPA had a neuroprotective effect against ischemia-reperfusion-induced neuronal cell death in vivo. However, four separate drugs were found to abolish the effects of ATPA. These were selective GluR5 antagonist NS3763; GluR5 antisense oligodeoxynucleotides; CdCl(2), a broad spectrum blocker of voltage-gated calcium channels; and bicuculline, an antagonist of gamma-aminobutyric acid A (GABA(A)) receptor. GABA(A) receptor agonist muscimol could attenuate Src activation and interactions among NR2A, PSD-95 and Src, resulting the suppression of NMDA receptor tyrosine phosphorylation. Moreover, patch clamp recording proved that the activated GABA(A) receptor could inhibit NMDA receptor-mediated whole-cell currents. Taken together, the results suggest that during ischemia-reperfusion, activated GluR5 may facilitate Ca(2+)-dependent GABA release from interneurons. The released GABA can activate postsynaptic GABA(A) receptors, which then attenuates NMDA receptor tyrosine phosphorylation through inhibiting Src activation and disassembling the signaling module NR2A-PSD-95-Src. The final result of this process is that the pyramidal neurons are rescued from hyperexcitability.     

PSD-95 eliminates Src-induced potentiation of NR1/NR2A-subtype NMDA receptor channels and reduces high-affinity zinc inhibition

The channel activity of NMDA receptors is regulated by phosphorylation by protein kinases and by interaction with other proteins. Recombinant NR1/NR2A subtype NMDA receptor channels are potentiated by the protein tyrosine kinase Src, an effect which is mediated by a reduction in the high-affinity, voltage-independent Zn(2+) inhibition. However, it has been reported that Src-induced potentiation of NMDA receptor currents in hippocampus neurons is not mediated by a reduction in Zn(2+) inhibition. The post-synaptic density protein PSD-95 interacts with the C-terminus of NR2 subunits of the NMDA receptor. Here we demonstrate that PSD-95 eliminates the Src-induced potentiation of NR1/NR2A channels expressed in oocytes and reduces the sensitivity of the channels to Zn(2+). Our results reveal that the absence of Src-induced potentiation of PSD-95-coupled NR1/NR2A channels is not to due to the reduced sensitivity of these channels to Zn(2+). These results indicate that PSD-95 functionally modulates NR1/NR2A channels and explain why Src-induced potentiation of NMDA receptor currents in hippocampus neurons is not mediated by a reduction in Zn(2+) inhibition.     

Increased phosphorylation and redistribution of NMDA receptors between synaptic lipid rafts and post-synaptic densities following transient global ischemia in the rat brain

Ischemia results in increased phosphorylation of NMDA receptors. To investigate the possible role of lipid rafts in this increase, lipid rafts and post-synaptic densities (PSDs) were isolated by the extraction of rat brain synaptosomes with Triton X-100 followed by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. Lipid rafts accounted for the majority of PSD-95, whereas SAP102 was predominantly located in PSDs. Between 50 and 60% of NMDA receptors were associated with lipid rafts. Greater than 85-90% of Src and Fyn were present in lipid rafts, whereas Pyk2 was mainly associated with PSDs. Lipid rafts and PSDs were isolated from animals subjected to 15 min of global ischemia followed by 6 h of recovery. Ischemia did not affect the yield, density, flotillin-1 or cholesterol content of lipid rafts. Following ischemia, the phosphorylation of NR1 by protein kinase C and tyrosine phosphorylation of NR2A and NR2B was increased in both lipid rafts and PSDs, with a greater increase in tyrosine phosphorylation occurring in the raft fraction. Following ischemia, NR1, NR2A and NR2B levels were elevated in PSDs and reduced in lipid rafts. The findings are consistent with a model involving close interaction between lipid rafts and PSDs and a role for lipid rafts in ischemia-induced signaling pathways.     

NADPH oxidase mediates the oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion-induced increase in the tyrosine phosphorylation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor NR2A subunit in retinoic acid differentiated SH-SY5Y Cells

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Evidence exists that oxidative stress promotes the tyrosine phosphorylation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) subunits during post-ischemic reperfusion of brain tissue. Increased tyrosine phosphorylation of NMDAR NR2A subunits has been reported to potentiate receptor function and exacerbate NMDAR-induced excitotoxicity. Though the effect of ischemia on tyrosine phosphorylation of NMDAR subunits has been well documented, the oxidative stress signaling cascades mediating the enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation of NR2A subunits remain unclear. RESULTS: We report that the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generator NADPH oxidase mediates an oxidative stress-signaling cascade involved in the increased tyrosine phosphorylation of the NR2A subunit in post-ischemic differentiated SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. Inhibition of NADPH oxidase attenuated the increased tyrosine phosphorylation of the NMDAR NR2A subunit, while inhibition of ROS production from mitochondrial or xanthine oxidase sources failed to dampen the post-ischemic increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of the NR2A subunit. Additionally, inhibition of NADPH oxidase blunted the interaction of activated Src Family Kinases (SFKs) with PSD-95 induced by ischemia/reperfusion. Lastly, inhibition of NADPH oxidase also markedly reduced cell death in post-ischemic SH-SY5Y cells stimulated by NMDA. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that NADPH oxidase has a key role in facilitating NMDAR NR2A tyrosine phosphorylation via SFK activation during post-ischemic reperfusion.     

Relative extent of tyrosine phosphorylation of the NR2A and NR2B subunits in the rat forebrain postsynaptic density fraction

The activity of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, a subclass of ionotropic glutamate receptor, is modulated by a complex network of phosphorylation and dephosphorylation. I investigated the relative extent of tyrosine phosphorylation of NMDA receptor subunit 2A (NR2A) and 2B (NR2B) subunits in the rat forebrain postsynaptic density (PSD) fraction. Immunoblot analysis of immunoprecipitates with antiphosphotyrosine antibodies indicated that tyrosine phosphorylation of NR2A was only 28.6% of that of NR2B. When phosphotyrosine-containing peptides were isolated by affinity-purification or immunoprecipitation, and probed for the two subunits, NR2B was detected but not NR2A. Furthermore, depletion of NR2B removed the phosphotyrosine-containing 180 kDa peptide from the solution while the converse was not true. The small extent of tyrosine phosphorylation of NR2A in the unstimulated condition may explain the dramatic increase in tyrosine phosphorylation in various physiological and pathological conditions.