Cellular Zinc Homeostasis Contributes to Neuronal Differentiation in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Figure 5

Cells differentiated under different zinc levels show altered gene expression and protein levels of neurotransmitter receptors. (a) A screening for the expression of genes associated with glutamatergic and cholinergic neurotransmission as well as synapse plasticity reveals a decrease of ACh receptors, mainly CHRNA3, CHRNA5, CHRNA7, CHRNA9, and CHRNA10, while an increase in glutamate receptor expression (GRM2, GRM3, and GRM5; GRIA3; GRIN2A) was observed. (b) Immunocytochemical analysis of cells per condition. The mean number of signals per dendrite length was assessed. No differences were detected for CHRNA3, GRIN1, and GRIA3. A significant reduction was seen for GABRA1 signals (-test, ). (c) Immunocytochemical analysis of cells per condition. The mean signal intensity per fluorescent puncta was assessed. No differences were detected for CHRNA3 and GRIN1. A significant reduction of GABRA1 signal intensity (-test, ) was observed. GRIA3 signal intensity was reduced only in one cell line (-test, ). ns: not significant. ; .

(a)

(b)

(c)