Changes in expression of P2X purinoceptors in rat cerebellum during postnatal development.

Abstract

Changes in expression of P2X receptors (P2X1-7) during postnatal development of the rat cerebellum are described. At P3, immunoreactivity (ir) to all the P2X receptors, except for P2X3 receptors, was found in Purkinje cells and deep cerebellar nuclei, P2X5-ir being most prominent. Granular and microglial cells were labeled for P2X5 (weakly) and P2X4 receptors, respectively. At P7, expression of all the P2X receptors (with the exception of P2X3) was up-regulated, P2X5 and P2X6 receptors being most prominent. Scattered P2X receptor-ir in unipolar brush cells in the granular cell layer and P2X1- and P2X7-ir of microglial cells was also present. At P14, the dendritic trees of Purkinje cells were..