Evidence for the existence of several different alpha- and beta-subunits of the GABA/benzodiazepine receptor complex from rat brain

Neurosci Lett. 1989 Feb 27;97(3):329-33. doi: 10.1016/0304-3940(89)90619-8.

Abstract

gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA)/benzodiazepine receptors purified from the brains of young and adult rats were photolabeled by [3H]flunitrazepam or [3H]muscimol. Gel electrophoresis revealed 3 different proteins with apparent molecular weight (Mr) 51,000, 53,000 and 59,000 which were specifically and irreversibly labeled by [3H]flunitrazepam and recognized by the alpha-subunit specific antibody bd-28. Similarly, 3 different proteins with Mrs 51,000, 53,000 and 56,000 were irreversibly labeled by [3H]muscimol and recognized by the beta-subunit-specific antibody bd-17. Comparison of the photolabeling and immunological staining pattern from young and adult rats seems to indicate that proteins labeled by [3H]flunitrazepam and bd-28 are different from those labeled by [3H]muscimol and bd-17.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Affinity Labels
  • Animals
  • Blotting, Western
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
  • Flunitrazepam
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Muscimol
  • Rats
  • Receptors, GABA-A / analysis*
  • Receptors, GABA-A / metabolism

Substances

  • Affinity Labels
  • Receptors, GABA-A
  • Muscimol
  • Flunitrazepam