RNA editing of human kainate receptor subunits

Abstract

Rna editing has been shown to be critical in generating the molecular diversity of rodent kainate receptors. We have examined cDNAs derived from various human brain sources to assess the occurrence and extent of RNA editing in human brain. Comparison of genomic and cDNA sequences revealed extensive editing of the human EAA4 (GluR6) mRNA at the isoleucine/valine567, tyrosine/cysteine571 sites of the transmembrane I region, and the glutamine/arginine621 site of the transmembrane II region. Of the eight potential molecular variants generated by the nucleotide exchange, five were observed in the tissues examined. The distribution of the various RNA editing combinations were not uniform, and disp..