Some properties of solubilized GABA receptor

Anxiolytic-like effects of obovatol isolated from Magnolia obovata: involvement of GABA/benzodiazepine receptors complex

This experiment was performed to investigate whether obovatol isolated from the leaves of Magnolia obovata has anxiolytic-like effects through GABA-benzodiazepine-receptors Cl(-) channel activation. The anxiolytic-like effects of obovatol in mice were examined using the elevated plus-maze and the automatic hole-board apparatus. Oral administration of obovatol (0.2, 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg) significantly increased the number of open arm entries and the spent time on open arm in the elevated plus-maze test, compared with those of saline. Obovatol (0.2, 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg) also produced anxiolytic-like effects, as reflected by an increase in head-dipping behaviors. These effects were comparable to those of diazepam (1.0 mg/kg), a well known anxiolytic drug. On the other hand, the anxiolytic-like effects of obovatol and diazepam were reversed by flumazenil, a benzodiazepine receptor antagonist, suggesting that the anxiolytic-like effects of obovatol were involved in GABA-benzodiazepine receptors complex. Obovatol was muscle relaxant by rota-rod test, but its effect was weaker than diazepam. Spontaneous locomotor activity also was inhibited by obovatol. Obovatol selectively increased the GABA(A) receptors alpha(1) subunit expression in amygdala of mouse brain. Obovatol also showed to bind to benzodiazepine receptors competitively in experiments using [(3)H]flunitrazepam in the cerebral cortex of mouse brain. Moreover, obovatol (10, 20 and 50 microM) increased Cl(-) influx and the increased Cl(-) influx was inhibited by flumazenil, in primary cultured neuronal cells and IMR-32 human neuroblastoma cells. These results suggest that obovatol has anxiolytic-like effects, and these pharmacological effects may be mediated by GABA-benzodiazepine receptors-activated Cl(-) channel opening.

Septohippocampal adaptive GABAergic responses by AF64A treatment

A cholinergically disrupted laboratory animal has been produced by administration of the cholinotoxin ethylcholine aziridinium mustard (AF64A), which produced a dysfunction in the cholinergic forebrain system. After AF64A treatment, a reduction of choline acetyl transferase (ChAT) activity was measured in the hippocampal regions. ChAT activity was preferentially reduced in tissue samples of the dorsal with respect to the ventral hippocampus, and concomitantly with this reduction, a compensatory increase in ChAT activity in the medial septum was found. Tissue gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) content in the hippocampal and septal brain areas was not affected by AF64A, indicating a specific effect on the cholinergic septohippocampal projection. The rate of GABA accumulation induced by aminooxyacetic acid administration was higher in the dorsal hippocampus and medial septum of AF64A-treated animals, but not in their ventral hippocampus and lateral septum, where significant changes occurred in ChAT activity. Concomitantly with the changes in GABA metabolism, a significant Bmax increase and Kd reduction of 3H-flunitrazepam binding in the hippocampus of AF64A-treated animals were associated with changes in the ChAT activity. This finding suggests an increase of GABA input on the cholinergic somas of the medial septum and an uncompensated GABAergic interneuron activity in the hippocampus. In this study, we present an adaptive mechanism of homotypic compensatory metabolism by cholinergic somas, and a heterotypic response of the GABAergic septohippocampal projection system, which was elicited by AF64A administration.

Interactions of ginsenosides with ligand-bindings of GABA(A) and GABA(B) receptors

1. Total saponin fraction decreased the affinity of specific [3H]muscimol binding without changes in Bmax. Ginsenoside Rb1 Rb2, Rc, Re, Rf and Rg1 inhibited the specific [3H]muscimol binding to the high-affinity site. 2. Total saponin fraction increased the affinity of specific [3H]flunitrazepam binding. Ginsenoside Re and Rf enhanced specific [3H]flunitrazepam binding. 3. Total saponin fraction decreased the affinity of specific [35S]TBPS binding without changes in Bmax. Ginsenosides did not affect specific or non-specific [35S]TBPS binding. 4. Total saponin fraction decreased the affinity of specific [3H]baclofen binding without changes in Bmax. Ginsenoside Rc inhibited specific [3H]baclofen binding.

Characterization of two cerebellar binding sites of [3H]Ro 15-4513

Ro 15-4513 (ethyl-8-azido-5,6-dihydro-5-methyl-6-oxo-4H- imidazo[1,5-a][1,4]benzodiazepine-3-carboxylate), a partial inverse agonist of central benzodiazepine receptors, binds to two distinct sites in the cerebellum. The binding to diazepam-sensitive (DZ-S) sites is displaced by different benzodiazepine receptor ligands, whereas the other site is insensitive to benzodiazepine agonists [diazepam-insensitive (DZ-IS)]. The binding of [3H]Ro 15-4513 was studied in pig cerebellar membranes and in receptors solubilized and purified from these. Micromolar concentrations of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) decreased DZ-S binding at both 0 and 37 degrees C, whereas it had no effect on DZ-IS binding at 0 degrees C and was stimulatory at 37 degrees C. The pH profiles of [3H]Ro 15-4513 binding were quite similar in both binding sites in the pH range of 5.5-10.5 but differed at acidic pH values from those reported for flunitrazepam and Ro 15-1788 (flumazenil; ethyl-8-fluoro-5,6-dihydro-5-methyl-6-oxo-4H- imidazol[1,5-a][1,4]benzodiazepine-3-carboxylate) binding in DZ-S sites, suggesting that [3H]Ro 15-4513 does not interact with a histidine residue apparently present in the binding site. Zn2+, Cu2+, Co2+, and Ni2+ enhanced the binding to DZ-S sites, and the first three mentioned also enhanced the binding to DZ-IS sites. [3H]Ro 15-4513 binding activity was solubilized by various detergents. All detergents tested were more efficient in solubilizing DZ-S binding activity. High ionic strength improved especially the solubility of DZ-IS binding activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Characterization of antagonistic activity and binding properties of SR 95531, a pyridazinyl-GABA derivative, in rat brain and cultured cerebellar neuronal cells

Experiments were performed to characterize the antagonistic activity and binding properties of SR 95531 [2-(3' carbethoxy-2'-propyl)-3-amino-6-paramethoxy-phenyl-piridazinium bromide] in rat brain. SR 95531 and bicuculline methiodide inhibited muscimol-stimulated 36Cl- uptake in cortical synaptoneurosomes in a concentration-dependent manner. The inhibitory potency of SR 95531 for the muscimol-stimulated 36Cl- uptake was 15 times higher than that of bicuculline methiodide. Scatchard plots of binding isotherms exhibited two apparent binding sites for [3H]SR 95531 in both the frontal cortex and cerebellum. The IC50 value of SR 95531 for muscimol-stimulated 36Cl- uptake into cortical synaptoneurosomes was in close agreement with the KD value of low-affinity binding sites of [3H]SR 95531 in the frontal cortex. Pretreatment of the membranes with phospholipase A2 invariably decreased [3H]SR 95531 binding in the frontal cortex and cerebellum. On the other hand, the treatment significantly increased [3H]gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) binding in a concentration-dependent manner in the frontal cortex. Although lower concentrations of phospholipase A2 did not affect [3H]GABA binding in the cerebellum, treatment with higher concentrations of phospholipase A2 increased the binding in this region. Specific binding of [3H]SR 95531 was also detected in cultures rich in cerebellar granule cells. Pretreatment with phospholipase A2 affected the binding of [3H]GABA and [3H]SR 95531 in these cells, as in the case of the cerebellum. These effects of phospholipase A2 on the binding of [3H]GABA and [3H]SR 95531 were partially prevented by the addition of delipidated bovine serum albumin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of bicuculline on [3H]SR 95531 binding in discrete regions of rat brains

Effects of bicuculline in vitro, and acute and chronic treatment of a subconvulsive dose of bicuculline on [3H]SR 95531 binding to discrete regions of rat brains were studied in Sprague-Dawley rats. Scatchard analysis of the binding isotherms exhibited two populations of binding sites for [3H]SR 95531 in frontal cortex, cerebellum, striatum and substantia nigra. The apparent KD for high-affinity sites was significantly increased in the frontal cortex and cerebellum in the presence of bicuculline (1 microM) with no change in Bmax. In contrast, the apparent affinity for low-affinity sites was not altered in the presence of bicuculline in these regions, whereas the Bmax was significantly decreased in the cerebellum. Following acute (2 mg/kg, i.p.) or chronic (2 mg/kg, i.p. for 10 days) bicuculline treatment, [3H]SR 95531 binding was also investigated in various regions of brains. The acute bicuculline treatment did not affect the [3H]SR 95531 binding in any of the regions studied. In contrast, apparent affinity for [3H]SR 95531 was significantly decreased in low-affinity sites of all regions studied in rats treated chronically with bicuculline. The Bmax values of high and low-affinity sites were significantly increased in the cerebellum with no change in the frontal cortex, striatum and substantia nigra. The present study demonstrates that chronic bicuculline treatment decreases apparent affinity of [3H]SR 95531 binding whereas the treatment increases apparent affinity of [3H]muscimol binding (1) in various brain regions. The results indicate that significant increase in Bmax of [3H]SR 95531 and [3H]muscimol binding in the cerebellum may be due to true up-regulation of GABA binding sites, involving increased de novo synthesis of receptor protein.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Functional coupling of GABAA receptors and benzodiazepine recognition site subtypes in the spinal cord of the rat

The interaction between GABAA receptors and benzodiazepine (BZD) recognition site subtypes in the spinal cord of the rat was investigated. Computer analysis of displacement curves for [3H]flunitrazepam [( 3H]FNT) binding by 2-oxo-quazepam (2OXOQ) indicated the presence of two subtypes of BZD recognition sites in this region. Type I sites accounted for approximately 25% of the total number of BZD recognition sites, the remainder being Type II sites. A similar proportion of Type I and Type II sites was obtained by Scatchard analysis of the saturation curves for [3H]FNT, [3H]2OXOQ and [3H]ethyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxylate [( 3H]beta CCE) binding. The in vitro addition of GABA (10(-8)-10(-4) M) to spinal cord membrane preparations produced an increase in the binding of [3H]FNT and [3H]2OXOQ. The maximal enhancement produced by GABA was 50 and 82% above control values for [3H]FNT and [3H]2OXOQ, respectively. In contrast, GABA stimulated both [3H]FNT and [3H]2OXOQ binding in the cerebellum to a similar extent. We also evaluated the effects of different ligands for BZD recognition sites on the binding of [3H]GABA to spinal cord membranes, as compared with brain areas containing a higher proportion ( greater than 30%) of Type I sites. Diazepam, quazepam and the beta-carboline, ZK 93423, enhanced the specific binding of [3H]GABA in a concentration-dependent manner (10(-7)-10(-5) M) in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus but not in the spinal cord and cerebellum. These results indicate that there is a regional variation in the interaction between GABA and BZD recognition sites in the central nervous system.

Immunohistochemical studies on distribution of GABAA receptor complex in the rat brain using antibody against purified GABAA receptor complex

The distribution of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptor/benzodiazepine receptor/Cl- channel complex in the rat brain was examined immunohistochemically using the specific antibody against purified GABAA receptor complex. The immunization of white albino rabbit with purified GABAA receptor complex resulted in the formation of specific antibody as indicated by the immunoprecipitation test. Immunohistochemical examinations using the antiserum on rat brain slices by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method revealed the presence of the following immunoreactive sites which coincided with a previous report using antibody against L-glutamic acid decarboxylase; ventromedial nucleus of hypothalamus, red nucleus, globus pallidus, zona compacta and zona reticulata of substantia nigra, layers of Purkinje cells and granular cells of cerebellum, layers III-V of cerebral cortex and stratum radiatum of hippocampus. These results strongly suggest that immunohistochemical application of the antibody against the purified GABAA receptor complex is a useful tool for identifying GABAergic neurons having GABAA receptor complex-mediated synapses.

Effects of picrotoxin treatment on GABAA receptor supramolecular complexes in rat brain

The effects of acute and chronic administration of a subconvulsive dose of picrotoxin on t-[35S]butylbicyclophosphorothionate ([3S]TBPS), [3H]muscimol, and [3H]flunitrazepam binding characteristics in various regions and on the convulsant potency of picrotoxin in Sprague-Dawley rats were examined. Acute administration of a subconvulsive dose of picrotoxin (3 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly increased [35S]TBPS and [3H]muscimol binding in cerebellum (CB) with no change in frontal cortex (FC). In rats treated chronically with picrotoxin (3 mg/kg, i.p., daily for 10 days), the Bmax of [35S]TBPS binding site was significantly decreased in the FC, striatum (ST), and CB with no change in KD values. Neither [3H]muscimol binding in the FC and CB nor [3H]flunitrazepam binding in the FC was affected in these rats. In addition, the potency of pentobarbital to inhibit [35S]TBPS binding in vitro was not altered following acute or chronic treatment of picrotoxin. Chronic administration of picrotoxin did not affect convulsive ED50 or LD50 of picrotoxin; however, it delayed the onset of convulsions and increased the time to death. These results suggest that treatment with picrotoxin at a subconvulsive dose for 10 days causes down-regulation of [35S]TBPS binding sites and that this down-regulation might be related, at least in part, to the decreased extent of convulsant potency of picrotoxin. In addition, the results indicate possible interaction between convulsant binding sites and GABAA receptor sites in the CB following picrotoxin treatment.

Binding characteristics of t-[35S]butylbicyclophosphorothionate in discrete brain regions of rats made tolerant to and dependent on pentobarbital

The effects of acute and continuous pentobarbital administration by pellet implantation on binding characteristics of t-[35S]butylbicyclophosphorothionate ([35S]TBPS) in discrete regions of rat brains were examined. Acute administration of pentobarbital (60 mg/kg, s.c.) affected neither the KD nor the Bmax values of [35S]TBPS binding in any of the regions studied. The cerebella of pentobarbital-tolerant rats had an increased density of [35S]TBPS binding sites with no change in their apparent affinity. There were no significant changes in the binding characteristics in the frontal cortex (FC), the striatum (ST), and the substantia nigra (SN) of these animals. Twenty-four hours after removal of the pentobarbital pellets, a significant decrease in the latency of onset of first twitch response induced by pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) (50 mg/kg, i.p.) was observed. In addition, the density of [35S]TBPS binding sites was significantly increased in the FC, the SN, and the cerebellum but not in the ST. In all brain regions studied, placebo pellet implantation and pentobarbital tolerance and dependence caused no changes in the apparent affinity of [35S]TBPS binding or the IC50 of pentobarbital for the inhibition of [35S]TBPS binding. These results suggest that [35S]TBPS binding was significantly increased following the withdrawal of the pentobarbital pellets without altering intrinsic coupling activity of barbiturate recognition sites and convulsant binding sites and that these increases in [35S]TBPS binding are related to the increased susceptibility to seizures induced by PTZ in rats made dependent on pentobarbital.

Cerebellar GABAA and benzodiazepine receptor characteristics in young and aged mice

Age-related differences in GABAA and benzodiazepine receptors were investigated in cerebella of young (1-month-old), mature adult (3 months old), older (8 months old) and aged (20 months old) mice. In cerebellar membranes of aged mice, [3H]muscimol binding was significantly higher as compared to those from all three younger age groups. Binding was the same in these younger age groups. Scatchard analysis of binding isotherms in cerebellum of young and aged mice showed the presence of two components (with different affinities and binding capacities). In aged mice, a significantly lower KD of low affinity sites and a significantly higher Bmax of high affinity sites were noted as compared to those in young mice. However, [3H]flunitrazepam binding to benzodiazepine receptors in cerebellar membranes was the same in both age groups. These results suggested that GABAA receptor binding was increased during senescence in cerebella without altering benzodiazepine binding.

Bicuculline up-regulation of GABAA receptors in rat brain

Effects of acute and subacute administration of bicuculline on [3H]muscimol, [3H]flunitrazepam, and t-[35S]butylbicyclophosphorothionate ([35S]TBPS) binding to various brain regions were studied in Sprague-Dawley rats. Acute administration of bicuculline affected neither the KD nor the Bmax of the three receptor sites. In rats treated subacutely with bicuculline (2 mg/kg, i.p., daily for 10 days), [3H]muscimol binding was increased in the frontal cortex, cerebellum, striatum, and substantia nigra. Scatchard analysis revealed that subacute treatment of rats with bicuculline resulted in a significantly lower KD of high-affinity sites in the striatum and in a significantly lower KD of high- and low-affinity sites in the frontal cortex. In the cerebellum, two binding sites were apparent in controls and acutely treated animals; however, only the high-affinity site was defined in subacutely treated animals, with an increase in the Bmax value. Triton X-100 treatment of frontal cortical membranes eliminated the difference in [3H]muscimol binding between control and subacute bicuculline treatments. On the other hand, [3H]muscimol binding was significantly increased in the cerebellum from bicuculline-treated animals even after Triton X-100 treatment. The apparent Ki of bicuculline for the GABAA receptor was also decreased in the frontal cortex and the striatum following the treatment. However, subacute administration of bicuculline affected neither the KD nor the Bmax of [3H]flunitrazepam and [35S]TBPS binding in the frontal cortex and the cerebellum. These results suggest that GABAA receptors are up-regulated after subacute administration of bicuculline, with no change in benzodiazepine and picrotoxin binding sites.

Functional coupling of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)A and benzodiazepine type II receptors: analysis using purified GABA/benzodiazepine receptor complex from bovine cerebral cortex

Possible functional coupling between gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and benzodiazepine receptors was examined using a purified GABA/benzodiazepine receptor complex. The purified receptor complex was obtained by 1012-S-acetamide adipic hydrazide Sepharose 4B affinity column chromatography, following the solubilization of synaptic membrane from the bovine cerebral cortex with Nonidet P-40. The binding of [3H]GABA to the purified GABA receptor was displaced significantly by muscimol and bicuculline, GABAA receptor agonists and antagonists, respectively, but not by baclofen, a GABAB receptor agonist. On the other hand, the binding of [3H]flunitrazepam to the purified benzodiazepine receptor was found to be displaced by microM ranges of CL 218,872, which is known to be sensitive to the benzodiazepine type II receptor. Furthermore, it was found that the binding of [3H]muscimol to these purified GABAA receptors was enhanced by benzodiazepines, while the binding of [3H]flunitrazepam to these benzodiazepine type II receptors was increased by GABA receptor agonists. These enhancements by GABA agonists and benzodiazepine agonists were found to be blocked by bicuculline and a benzodiazepine receptor antagonist, Ro15-1788, respectively. These results strongly suggest that the purified receptor may consist of GABAA and benzodiazepine type II receptors and possess a functional coupling of these sites, as shown in cerebral synaptic membranes.

Pyrethroid insecticides and radioligand displacement from the GABA receptor chloride ionophore complex

Radioligand binding displacement studies were conducted to determine the effects of Type I and II pyrethroids on [3H]flunitrazepam (FLU), [3H]muscimol (MUS), and [35S]t-butylbicyclophosphorothionate (TBPS) binding. Competition experiments with [3H]FLU and [3H]MUS indicate a lack of competition for binding by the pyrethroids. Type I pyrethroids failed to compete for the binding of [35S]TBPS at concentrations as high as 50 microM. Type II pyrethroids inhibited [35S]TBPS binding to rat brain synaptosomes with Ki values ranging from 5-10 microM. The data presented here suggest that the interaction of Type II pyrethroids with the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor-ionophore complex is restricted to a site near the TBPS/picrotoxinin binding site.

Solubilization of the benzodiazepine/gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor complex: comparison of the detergents octylglucopyranoside and 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)-dimethylammonio]1-propanesulfonate (CHAPS)

Octylglucopyranoside (OCTG) was three times more efficient than 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)-dimethylammonio]1-propanesulfonate (CHAPS) in solubilizing the benzodiazepine (BDZ)/gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor complex from rat cerebellar synaptic membranes. OCTG-solubilized receptor preparations had ligand binding characteristics that were significantly different from those of the CHAPS-solubilized receptors. The inclusion of phospholipids in the solubilization media improved the binding characteristics of both soluble receptor preparations and appeared absolutely necessary for the maintenance of chloride facilitation of flunitrazepam (FNZ) binding to OCTG-solubilized receptors. FNZ and ethyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxylate bound to OCTG-solubilized preparations with equilibrium dissociation constants of 2.2 nM and 1.6 nM, respectively, and chloride (150 mM) and GABA (100 microM) + chloride facilitated the binding of FNZ by 15% and 55%, respectively; these ligand binding characteristics are similar to those of membrane-located BDZ receptors. Cartazolate, a pyrazolopyridine that facilitated the binding of FNZ to membrane-located and CHAPS-solubilized receptors, did not facilitate FNZ binding to OCTG-solubilized receptors. These results are discussed in terms of an interaction between the membrane lipid phosphatidylserine (PS) and cartazolate; PS appears to have the capacity to inhibit the effects of cartazolate on FNZ binding. Storage of the soluble receptor preparations for 24 h at 4 degrees C resulted in the loss of several characteristic BDZ receptor binding properties. Incorporation of the OCTG-solubilized receptor complex into liposomes prevented these losses but this procedure did not protect the CHAPS-solubilized receptors. We conclude that OCTG may have some advantages over CHAPS as the detergent of choice for the solubilization and reconstitution in liposomes of a functional BDZ/GABA receptor-chloride ionophore complex.

Effect of 450191-S, a 1H-1,2,4-triazolyl benzophenone derivative, on cerebral content of neuroactive amino acids

The effect of 450191-S, one of the 1H-1,2,4-triazolyl benzophenone derivatives and possessing benzodiazepine-like anti-anxiety actions, on the content of various amino acids in the mouse brain was examined in comparison with that of nitrazepam. Among the various amino acids examined, only glycine, aspartic acid and alanine showed a statistically significant decrease following the oral administration of 450191-S. The oral administration of nitrazepam also induced a similar decline in the cerebral contents of glycine and alanine. Furthermore, it was found that the administration of Ro 15-1788, a benzodiazepine antagonist, eliminated the 450191-S-induced decline in the cerebral contents of glycine and aspartic acid. These results indicate that the administration of 450191-S induces the decrease of glycine and aspartic acid, neuroactive amino acids, in the brain, possibly via the activation of benzodiazepine receptors.

Modulation of synaptic GABA receptor binding by membrane phospholipids: possible role of active oxygen radicals

Pretreatment of cerebral synaptic membrane preparations with phospholipase (PLase) A2 invariably induced a significant enhancement of [3H]muscimol binding in a dose-dependent manner with a concomitant elevation of the content of total free fatty acids in the membrane. In vitro addition of various free fatty acids exhibited no profound alteration in [3H]muscimol binding, whereas a significant enhancement of the binding was induced by the pretreatment of the membrane with unsaturated free fatty acids such as arachidonic acid and linoleic acid, but not by that with saturated free fatty acids. None of the inhibitors of arachidonic acid metabolism including indomethacin (an inhibitor of cyclo-oxygenase) and nordihydroguaiaretic acid (an inhibitor of lipoxygenase), however, had a significant preventive action on the augmentation of [3H]muscimol binding. On the other hand, various scavengers for superoxide anion radical such as superoxide dismutase, tiron and nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) not only suppressed the PLase A2-induced enhancement of [3H]muscimol binding, but also diminished the augmentation of the binding due to PLase C and arachidonic acid. It was also found that a remarkable facilitation of the formation of superoxide anion radical was induced by the treatment of synaptic membrane with PLase A2, PLase C and arachidonic acid, all of which exhibited a prominent stimulation of the binding. In addition, treatment of the membrane with xanthine and xanthine oxidase, a superoxide anion radical generating system, resulted in a profound stimulation of the binding. The PLase A2-induced enhancement of the binding was also attenuated by the scavengers for hydrogen peroxide like catalase as well as by those for hydroxyl radical such as dimethylnitrosoaniline, mannitol, methanol and ethanol, but not by those for singlet oxygen radical including alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene. The present results suggest that membrane phospholipids may play an important role in the modulation of the association of GABA with its relevant receptor through the generation of active oxygen radicals from unsaturated free fatty acids which are yielded by the catalytic action of PLase A2 and/or PLase C.

Purification of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor from rat brain by affinity column chromatography using a new benzodiazepine, 1012-S, as an immobilized ligand

The purification of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and benzodiazepine receptors from the rat brain was employed by the affinity column using a new benzodiazepine, 1012-S, as immobilized ligand. The 1012-S has a aliphatic primary amino group and exhibited an extremely high potency for displacing [3H]flunitrazepam binding to solubilized benzodiazepine receptor preparation (IC50 = 6.0 X 10(-11) M). This benzodiazepine affinity gel retained almost all of the solubilized GABA receptors from synaptic membranes applied to the column, and 25.6% of the receptor was eluted bio-specifically following the application of 1 mM 1012-S. The highest purification fold thus obtained was 4576 (specific activity: 0.99 nmol/mg protein). Furthermore, the successive application of 1-2 M NaSCN also resulted the elution of a highly enriched GABA receptor (specific activity: 0.41 nmol/mg protein; purification fold: 1889). SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic profiles of the bio-specifically eluted fraction with 1012-S showed the existence of two major bands having the molecular weights of approximately 48,500 and 54,500, in which the former band was selectively photoaffinity-labeled with [3H]flunitrazepam. On the other hand, it was found that the non-specifically eluted fraction with NaSCN contained 4 additional minor bands having molecular weights of 41,000 to 51,000. These results indicate that GABA receptor of the rat brain is coupled, at least in part, with benzodiazepine receptor and is readily purified by the use of highly specific benzodiazepine affinity gel, 1012-S-acetamide adipic hydrazide Sepharose 4B. The present results also suggest that the purified GABA/benzodiazepine receptor complex may contain two different kinds of subunits having the molecular weights of 48,000 and 54,500, in which the former subunit may possess benzodiazepine binding sites.

Some properties of brain opioid receptors in membrane bound and solubilized state

In brain membrane preparations, 3H-naloxone binding to bullfrog brain gave the highest values versus other species such as carp, chicken, rat and mouse. Scatchard analysis revealed that the Bmax value of bullfrog brain membranes was three fold greater than that of rat brain membranes. Opioid receptors were solubilized from bullfrog brain membranes using digitonin or 3-(cholamidopropyl)-dimethylammonio-1-propane sulfonate (CHAPS) as the detergent. The properties of solubilized opioid receptors were essentially the same as membrane bound receptors with regard to sensitivity to various treatments. The order of potency for a series of agonists in displacing 3H-naloxone binding in both membrane and solubilized preparations was bremazocine greater than pentazocine greater than morphine greater than delta-receptor peptide. Partial purification of opioid receptors was performed using a fast protein liquid chromatography system. Specific binding activity of 3H-naloxone was increased 10-15 fold within 20 min using the Mono Q column.

Single class of muscimol binding sites in the solubilized gamma-aminobutyrate-benzodiazepine receptor complex

The gamma-aminobutyrate-benzodiazepine receptor complex was solubilized from the rat brain and bovine cortex and partially purified by means of gel chromatography. Analysis of binding parameters of [3H]muscimol indicates that the complex includes only one class of binding sites which presumably represent an apparently low affinity class of two classes of gamma-aminobutyrate A receptors described on the brain membranes. Analysis of the [3H] flunitrazepam specific binding also shows the presence of one class of binding sites sensitive to gamma-aminobutyrate stimulation. The concentration of muscimol binding sites in the gamma-aminobutyrate-benzodiazepine receptor complex was observed to be twice as high as the concentration of benzodiazepine binding sites.

Increase in the Bmax of gamma-aminobutyric acid-A recognition sites in brain regions of mice receiving diazepam

gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors were characterized in vivo by studying ex vivo the binding of [3H]muscimol to cerebellum, cortex, hippocampus, and corpus striatum of mice receiving intravenous injections of tracer doses of high-specific-activity (approximately equal to 30 Ci/mmol) [3H]muscimol. This ligand binds with high affinity (apparent Kd, 2-3 X 10(-9) M) to a single population of binding sites (apparent Bmax, 250-180 fmol per 10 mg of protein). Pharmacological studies using drugs that selectively bind to GABAA or GABAB receptors suggest that [3H]muscimol specifically labels a GABAA recognition site. Moreover, diazepam (1.5 mumol/kg, i.p.) increases the Bmax but fails to change the affinity of [3H]muscimol binding to different brain areas. This diazepam-elicited increase in Bmax is blocked in mice receiving the diazepam antagonist Ro 15-1788 (ethyl-8-fluoro-5,6-dihydro-5-methyl-6-oxo-4H-imidazo[1,5a]-[1,4] benzodiazepine-3-carboxylate). Since the diazepam-induced increase of [3H]muscimol binding is paralleled by a significant potentiation of the inhibitory effect of muscimol on locomotor activity, it is proposed that the facilitatory action on GABAergic transmission elicited in vivo by diazepam is mediated by an increase in the Bmax of the binding sites of GABAA receptors.

GABAergic synapses. Supramolecular organization and biochemical regulation

Extraneurally released gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) interacts with specific recognition sites associated with proteins located in postsynaptic neuronal membranes that function as chloride (Cl-)ionophores. As a result of the interaction between GABA and the recognition sites, Cl- ionophores are opened causing an influx or an efflux of Cl-, depending on the values of the Cl- equilibrium potential and of the membrane potential. Hyperpolarization or depolarization will result from inward or outward Cl- fluxes, respectively. Independently of the change in conductivity elicited by GABA, this amino acid transmitter will reduce the effectiveness of the sodium ion (Na+) excitatory potential. In attempts to elucidate the molecular mechanism, whereby benzodiazepines facilitate the action of GABA on membrane conductance without changing the activity of Cl- or other ionophore, a basic protein (GABA-modulin, GM) has been isolated from rat brain which is similar in structure to the small molecular weight myelin basic protein, found in rodent brain. While GABA-modulin is located in synaptosomes, the small molecular weight myelin basic protein is located in the myelin fraction: more important, GABA-modulin inhibited the high affinity binding of GABA to crude synaptic membranes while the basic myelin protein did not. Also, amino acid composition and molecular weight differentiate the two proteins. The GABA-modulin can be phosphorylated with different stoichiometry by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (4 mol PO4(-3)) or Ca2+-dependent protein kinase (1 mol PO4(-3)). Only cyclic AMP-dependent phosphorylation inhibited the action of GABA-modulin on GABA binding.

Benzodiazepine-GABA receptor-ionophore complex. Current concepts

The benzodiazepine--gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor--ionophore system is an oligomeric complex, composed of at least three interacting components. These three components have been well characterized in vitro by radioreceptor binding assays. A variety of centrally acting anxiolytic, depressant, anticonvulsant and convulsant drugs, which affect GABAergic transmission, bind to one of the sites and modulate the binding of ligands at the other sites. Thus, depressant barbiturates, nonbarbiturate hypnotics (like etomidate) and pyrazolopyridines (like etazolate), while inhibiting the binding of alpha-dihydropicrotoxinin (DHP), enhance the binding of GABA and benzodiazepines. These enhancing effects are blocked by convulsant drugs that inhibit the binding of dihydropicrotoxinin and also by bicuculline. These interactions involving barbiturates and other modulatory drugs, exhibit stereoselectivity, anion dependence and brain regional selectivity. Several classes of drugs which facilitate GABAergic transmission appear to interact with the sites for GABA and benzodiazepines allosterically via the dihydropicrotoxinin site of the oligomeric complex. The GABA system has also been implicated in a variety of pathological conditions, including anxiety, seizure activity, movement disorders, cardiovascular control, pain and in drug dependence. Since most of the GABA agonists do not pass the blood-brain barrier, future trends in the pharmacology of GABA may be the development of drugs that will activate the GABA receptor system via picrotoxinin or benzodiazepine sites.

Benzodiazepines stimulate muscimol receptor binding in an Ro 15-1788 reversible manner

Diazepam and other benzodiazepines caused a concentration-dependent increase of [3H]muscimol (15 nM) specific binding. The maximal increase was 23.6 +/- 5% at the diazepam concentration of 10 microM. Concentrations of half-maximal stimulation for diazepam and clonazepam were 43 +/- 17 and 12.6 +/- 6 nM respectively. Ro 15-1788 was found to inhibit the stimulation of muscimol specific binding induced by other benzodiazepines. The IC50 for diazepam (1000 nM)-induced stimulation was 280 +/- 60 nM. Intensive treatment of membranes with Triton X-100 decreased the stimulatory effect of benzodiazepines.