Expression of GABAB1 and GABAB2 mRNA in the human brain

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Abstract
GABAB receptors are widely expressed in the CNS. The distribution of the recently cloned GABAB1 receptor is highly concordant with GABAB ligand binding sites, but experiments with transfected cell lines indicate that GABAB1 has to heterodimerize with GABAB2 to gain the functionality of a native GABAB receptor. Using in situ hybridization we investigated the expression of GABAB1 and GABAB2 mRNAs in the human brain. Both transcripts were detectable in prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum with no apparent mismatch. A distinct expression of GABAB1 was detected in putative Bergmann glia. In the human striatum GABAB1 mRNA was expressed in moderate amounts, whereas the GABAB2 mRNA signal was not clearly above background. According to our data, the current concept on GABAB receptor composition needs re-evaluation, at least for certain brain structures.