Distinct expression of phosphorylated N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor NR1 subunits by projection neurons and interneurons in the striatum of normal and amphetamine-treated rats

N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors are heteromeric assemblies of subunits (NR1 and NR2A-D), and are enriched in the striatum. Receptor phosphorylation has recently been demonstrated on the NR1 subunit at three serine residues, 897, 896, and 890, which appear to correspond to the level of receptor activity. In this study, expression of phospho-specific NR1 subunits at serine 897 (pNR1S897), serine 896 (pNR1S896), or serine 890 (pNR1S890) in neurochemically identified neurons of the adult rat striatum was detected by using double-immunofluorescent labeling or combined in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. In both the dorsal and ventral striatum, pNR1S897 was expressed at high levels in projection neurons containing >55% dynorphin (striatonigral) and >90% enkephalin (striatopallidal) and in interneurons that were 100% positive for choline, >90% positive for parvalbumin, and >45% positive for somatostatin (co-containing neuropeptide Y and neuronal nitric oxide synthase). Low levels of pNR1S896 were present in a small portion of projection neurons (<15% for both populations of projection neurons) and were almost lacking in the three types of interneurons. Interestingly, pNR1S890 was exclusively expressed in most parvalbumin-containing interneurons (70-80%). Acute administration of a psychostimulant, amphetamine, increased the number of dynorphin-containing projection neurons and parvalbumin interneurons showing detectable levels of pNR1S896 and pNR1S890, respectively. These results demonstrate the distinct expression of phospho-NR1 subunits in different populations of striatal projection neurons and interneurons at variable levels in normal rats; they also demonstrate that phosphorylation of NR1, at least on serine 896 and 890 sites, is sensitive to drug exposure.