Developmental expression of cerebellar GABAA-receptor subunit mRNAs. Nature versus nurture.

Recent studies have demonstrated that many of the mRNAs encoding GABAA-receptor subunits in the cerebellum exhibit distinct temporal profiles of expression. The levels of six of these subunit transcripts increase severalfold in the second week of postnatal ontogeny. Findings from a variety of experimental systems suggest that the onset and increases in subunit mRNA expression are mediated by the interaction of genetic and epigenetic programs. The initiation of subunit mRNA expression occurs relatively early in cellular maturation and may be directed by intrinsic mechanisms. However, the levels of expression attained in adult animals may be controlled by extrinsic signals received by neurons during the postnatal maturation process.