Expression of Homer in prefrontal cortex of rats with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

Objective To investigate the expression of Homer on Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Methods The total RNA and protein were extracted from prefrontal cortex (PFC) of SHR and WKY rats. Both RT-PCR technique and Western Blotting technique were used to detect the expression levels of different isoforms of Homer (Homer 1a, Homer 1b/c, Homer 2a/b) in PFC of SHR and WKY rats. Results (1) By RT-PCR detection, it was found that the expression levels of Homer 1a and Homer 2a/b gene were significantly lower in prefrontal cortex of SHR rats than those in WKY ones (t = 2.56,P 0.05;t = 5.85,P 0.05). There was no difference in the expression levels of Homer1b/c gene in prefrontal cortex between SHR and WKY rats (t = 0.44,P 0.05). (2) By Western Blotting, it was found that the expression levels of Homer 1a and Homer 2a/b gene were significantly lower in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of SHR rats than those in WKY rats( t = 2.76,P 0.05; t = 3.40,P 0.05). Conclusion Homer 1a and Homer 2a/b may play an important role in pathogenesis of ADHD.