gamma-Aminobutyric acid receptors in cerebellar membranes of rat brain after a treatment with Triton X-100

Characteristics of GABAB receptor binding sites on rat whole brain synaptic membranes. 1983

Saturable binding of (±)-[³H]-baclofen and [³H]-γ-aminobutyric acid ([³H]-GABA) to rat brain crude synaptic membranes has been examined by means of a centrifugation assay.

The binding of [³H]-baclofen could be detected in fresh or previously frozen tissue and was dependent on the presence of physiological concentrations of Ca²⁺ or Mg²⁺ although a lower affinity Na⁺-dependent component could also be observed. Both components probably reflect binding to receptor recognition sites.

The saturable portion of bound [³H]-baclofen formed 20.3 ± 6.9% of total bound ligand. This could be displaced by GABA (IC₅₀ = 0.04 μm), (–)-baclofen (0.04 μm) and to a much lesser extent by (+)-baclofen (33 μm). Isoguvacine, piperidine-4-sulphonic acid and bicuculline methobromide were inactive (up to 100 μm) and muscimol was only weakly active (IC₅₀ = 12.3 μm).

Saturable binding of [³H]-GABA increased on adding CaCl₂ or MgSO₄ (up to 2.5 Mm and 5.0 Mm respectively) to the Tris-HCl incubation solution. This binding (GABA_B site binding) was additional to the bicuculline-sensitive binding of GABA (GABA_A site binding) and could be completely displaced by (–)-baclofen (IC₅₀ = 0.13 μm).

Increasing the Ca²⁺ concentration (0 to 2.5 Mm) increased the binding capacity of the membranes without changing their affinity for the ligand.

The binding of [³H]-GABA to GABA_B sites could be demonstrated in fresh as well as previously frozen membranes with a doubling of the affinity being produced by freezing. Further incubation with the non-ionic detergent Triton-X-100 (0.05% v/v) reduced the binding capacity by 50%.

The pharmacological profile of displacers of [³H]-GABA from GABA_B sites correlated well with that for [³H]-baclofen displacement. A correlation with data previously obtained in isolated preparations of rat atria and mouse vas deferens was also apparent.

It is concluded that [³H]-baclofen or [³H]-GABA are both ligands for the same bicuculline-insensitive, divalent cation-dependent binding sites in the rat brain.

Allosteric interactions between gamma-aminobutyric acid, benzodiazepine and picrotoxinin binding sites in primary cultures of cerebellar granule cells. Differential effects induced by gamma- and delta-hexachlorocyclohexane

Allosterism between gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), benzodiazepine and picrotoxinin recognition sites on the GABAA receptor was studied in primary cultures of cerebellar granule cells. The increase in [3H]flunitrazepam binding induced by GABA was inhibited by bicuculline and picrotoxinin and the decrease in [35S]t-butylbicyclophosphorothionate ([35S]TBPS) binding mediated by GABA was reverted by bicuculline. The effects of hexachlorocyclohexanes (the convulsant gamma- and the depressant delta-isomers, both acting at the picrotoxinin recognition site) on GABA and benzodiazepine sites were studied. delta-Hexachlorocyclohexane, but not the gamma-isomer (lindane), increased [3H]flunitrazepam binding in a concentration-dependent manner (EC50: 8.3 microM). This increase in [3H]flunitrazepam binding was reduced by bicuculline and picrotoxinin. The gamma-isomer reduced the increase in [3H]flunitrazepam binding induced by GABA or delta-hexachlorocyclohexane. Neither delta- nor gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane inhibited [3H]GABA binding. Moreover, the inhibition of [35S]TBPS binding induced by delta-hexachlorocyclohexane was not reverted by bicuculline. The results obtained in this study in vitro agree with the pharmacological properties and the effects of gamma- and delta-hexachlorocyclohexane in vivo. It is concluded that delta-hexachlorocyclohexane acts as a positive allosteric modulator and gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane acts as a non-competitive antagonist of the GABAA receptor.

Methods for removing endogenous factors from CNS membrane preparations: differences in [3H]GABA binding parameters and developmental-related effects

The present report describes a systematic study comparing and combining methods currently used for the removal of endogenous factors known to affect the interaction of GABA with its receptor. The effects of these methods were analyzed by performing [3H]GABA binding studies, and by measuring the amount of residual GABA left in the different membrane preparations. The effectiveness of these methods were also applied to different developmental stages. The results show that: 1) an exhaustive buffer washing procedure is necessary to accurately measure the maximal binding capacity (Bmax) of the low-affinity GABA binding site, and 2) the use of more drastic methods, including freeze-thawing and Triton treatment allows a clear demonstration of receptor heterogeneity and a precise measurement of the Bmax of the high-affinity GABA binding site as well as increases the affinity of the low-affinity site. The analysis of the Bmax values obtained with these different procedures in relation to the values of GABA removal, strongly indicates that the exhaustive washing procedure removes some unknown endogenous substances required for Triton treatment to exhibit its maximal effectiveness. Finally, a detailed analysis of Kd and Bmax values obtained with these three methods in the developing nervous tissue shows the existence of significant differences with regard to their effectiveness in removing endogenous substances when applied in different developmental stages.

m-Sulfonate benzene diazonium chloride: a powerful affinity label for the gamma-aminobutyric acid binding site from rat brain

m-Sulfonate benzene diazonium chloride (MSBD) was used to affinity-label the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) binding site from rat brain membranes. To assess the irreversibility of the labeling reaction, we used an efficient ligand dissociation procedure combined to a rapid [3H]muscimol binding assay, both steps being performed on filter-adsorbed membranes. Inactivation of specific [3H]-muscimol binding sites by MSBD and its prevention by GABA were both time- and concentration-dependent. The time course of MSBD labeling was shortened as the pH of the incubation medium was increased from 6.2 to 8. These data suggest that MSBD can efficiently label the GABA binding site through alkylation of a residue having an apparent dissociation constant around neutrality.

Improvement of 5-HT3 receptor binding assay: enhancement of specific [3H]quipazine binding with Triton X-100-treated membranes from rat cortex

The 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)3 receptor binding assay using [3H]quipazine was examined. It was impossible to obtain specific [3H]quipazine binding with the membrane fractions from rat cortex prepared by the usual procedure. When the membranes were pretreated with detergent Triton X-100, the ratio of specific [3H]quipazine binding markedly increased, depending upon the concentration of Triton X-100 in the range of 0.01-0.1% (w/v). At a concentration of more than 0.05%, the specific binding reached a maximum of 55 to 60% of the total binding. The specific [3H]quipazine binding to the Triton X-100-treated membranes was reversible and was potently inhibited by several 5-HT3 antagonists, while 5-HT1, 5-HT2 receptor antagonists and other receptor-specific ligands had no effect on the binding. Scatchard analysis indicated a single class of binding sites with a Kd of 0.62 nM and Bmax of 97 fmol/mg protein. Thus, the Triton X-100-treated membranes retained the characteristics of 5-HT3 binding sites, making it possible to use [3H]quipazine for a 5-HT3 receptor binding assay with a high ratio of specific binding.

Steroid and barbiturate modulation of the GABAa receptor. Possible mechanisms

This review describes the modulation of the GABAa receptor by steroid hormones and barbiturates and proposes guidelines for further research. Having examined the complex organization of the GABAa receptor complex and the multiple allosteric interactions between its drug and transmitter/modulator binding sites, the possibility that conformational changes of the receptor molecule may explain most of its characteristics is explored. On the basis of considerable evidence, we propose that the GABAa receptor may adopt as many as five different conformations. However, the heterogeneity of central GABAa receptor binding cannot only be explained by different configurations of a single protein. It also has been shown that different GABAa receptor subtypes exist within different brain regions. These receptor subtypes may differ from each other in their subunit composition. By describing the GABAa receptor as a macromolecular complex that may adopt different conformations and whose subunit composition may vary, it becomes possible to understand the molecular mechanisms by which steroid hormones modulate the receptor. This has led to two models of hormone actions. A first model addresses the direct effects that steroids exert on the GABAa receptor and predicts that steroid hormones may cause the conformation of the receptor complex to change between active and inactive states. A second model, which addresses the observed heterogeneity of GABAa receptor binding within the brain, suggests that steroid hormones may change the expression of the different subunits of the receptor complex by acting at the genomic level. This review complements other recent reviews describing the modulation of the GABAa receptor (Olsen and Venter, 1986; Gee, 1988).

gamma-Aminobutyric acid uptake by a bacterial system with neurotransmitter binding characteristics

gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA), an amino acid, has been found in every class of living organisms. In higher organisms, GABA is a neurotransmitter and binds with high affinity and specificity to GABA receptors on neurons in a sodium-independent reaction that is saturable. The role of GABA in organisms lacking nervous tissue is not known. This report describes, in a strain of Pseudomonas fluorescens, a GABA uptake system with binding characteristics like those of the GABA (type A) brain receptor. The binding was saturable and specific for GABA, was sodium-independent, was of high affinity (Km = 65 nM), and was inhibited competitively by muscimol, a potent GABA analogue. The bacterial GABA system included a homogeneous binding site, and no cooperative interaction was found between sites. To our knowledge, such a system for GABA, or other neurotransmitters, in a bacterium has not been reported.

Taurine and GABA binding in mouse brain: effects of freezing, washing and Triton X-100 treatment on membranes

The sodium-independent binding of taurine and GABA were determined with mouse brain membranes subjected to various freezing-thawing cycles, washing procedures and Triton X-100 treatments. The treated membranes were characterized by electron microscopy and determination of their content of endogenous free amino acids, e.g., taurine, GABA, glutamate, aspartate and glycine. The washings and the detergent gradually disrupted all synaptic structures, yielding empty-looking sealed membrane pouches of various sizes. Only traces of taurine, GABA, aspartate and glutamate were present in the Triton X-100-treated membranes, whereas these membranes still contained some glycine. Concomitantly, the affinity and maximal capacity of GABA binding increased, indicating that the treatments progressively removed some endogenous GABA binding inhibitors. Saturable taurine binding became detectable only after the Triton X-100 treatment, endogenous taurine, removable from membranes only with difficulty, obviously hampering binding measurements.

Benzodiazepine receptors in the visual structures of monocularly deprived rats. Effect of light and dark adaptation

In 25-day-old rats with one eyelid sutured at the age of 10 days, the binding of [3H]flunitrazepam in the visual structures (retina, lateral geniculate nucleus, superior colliculus, visual cortex) and frontal cortex was determined. Monocular visual deprivation (MD) resulted in a significant decrease of the [3H]flunitrazepam binding in the retina of the open eye to about 76% of the control value. No changes in [3H]flunitrazepam binding were detectable under these conditions in the central visual structures examined and the non-visual cortical region. Scatchard analysis indicated that the changes found in the retina of the open eye of MD rats are due to a decreased binding affinity only, the maximum receptor number being unaffected. Eight hours after re-opening the sutured eyelid of 25-day-old MD rats, benzodiazepine binding in the open eye was increased to the control level, whereas the binding in the retina of the re-opened eye remained unchanged in comparison to control animals. Dark adaptation of 25-day-old control rats resulted in an increased [3H]flunitrazepam binding in the retina by 28% compared to that detectable in the retina of light-adapted animals. In contrast, dark-adaptation of MD rats did not affect [3H]flunitrazepam binding in the retina of both eyes in comparison to that found in the corresponding retina of light-adapted MD animals. The data obtained suggest a physiological coupling between both retinas, possibly mediated through centres inside of the central nervous system.

Characterization of Na+-independent GABA and flunitrazepam binding sites in preparations of synaptic membranes and postsynaptic densities isolated from canine cerebral cortex and cerebellum

The binding of [3H]GABA and [3H]flunitrazepam was performed with synaptic membranes and post-synaptic densities (PSDs) isolated from canine cerebral cortex and cerebellum. Two GABA binding sites were found with cerebral cortex membranes but only one with cerebellar membranes. PSDs isolated from these showed only single binding sites, with cerebellar PSDs exhibiting lower KD values and a larger concentration of sites than did cerebral cortex PSDs. In the case of flunitrazepam, only one binding site was found for all four preparations, with cerebellar PSDs having twice the concentration of sites of cerebral PSDs. Photoaffinity labeling of the flunitrazepam receptor in PSDs resulted in the binding to a 51,000 Mr protein in both cases, with cerebellar PSDs again showing an increased concentration over that found in cerebral cortex PSDs. Based on this work, and on earlier work of ourselves and of others, we conclude that both populations of isolated PSDs contain inhibitory sites, but that the intact PSDs in both preparations are derived from Gray type I, probably excitatory, synapses, and that the inhibitory sites are found in the broken-up material in the PSD fractions which are derived from Gray type II, probably inhibitory, synapses.

Early undernutrition and [3H]gamma-aminobutyric acid binding in rat brain

The effect of early undernutrition and dietary rehabilitation on [3H]gamma-aminobutyric acid ([3H]GABA) binding in rat brain cerebral cortex and hippocampus was examined. Undernourished animals were obtained by exposing their mothers to a protein-deficient diet during both gestation and lactation. Saturation analysis of [3H]GABA binding in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus revealed high- and low-affinity components in the undernourished group, whereas control animals possessed only a low-affinity site. The concentration of low-affinity binding sites was greater in the undernourished animals. Rehabilitation of undernourished animals completely abolished the binding site differences. Treatment of brain membranes with Triton X-100 yielded two binding components in both the undernourished and control animals, although the concentration of lower affinity sites was still greater in the undernourished group. Neither the efficacy nor the potency of GABA to activate benzodiazepine binding in cerebral cortex was modified by undernutrition. These data suggest that early undernourishment modifies the characteristics of [3H]GABA binding, perhaps by reducing the brain content of endogenous inhibitors of the higher affinity binding site. The lack of effect on GABA-activated benzodiazepine binding suggests the possibility that neither the high- nor the low-affinity GABA binding sites are coupled to this receptor component.

Alterations of amino acid transmitter systems in spinal cords of chronic paraplegic dogs

The high-affinity uptake of [3H]serotonin, [3H]glutamate, and [3H]gamma-aminobutyric acid [( 3H]GABA) and the Na+-independent binding of [3H]glutamate and [3H]GABA were studied using spinal cord preparations obtained from normal mongrel dogs and from dogs made paraplegic by midthoracic spinal cord crush. Lumbosacral regions of the spinal cord were removed either before (1 week) or after (3 to 8 weeks) onset of spasticity. A myelin-free synaptosomal fraction was obtained by centrifugation and used for studying high-affinity uptake and for preparing synaptic plasma membranes for Na+-independent binding experiments. For the paraplegic groups, the uptake of 30 nM [3H]serotonin was 66 and 18% of control values after 1 and 3 weeks, respectively. Eadie-Hofstee analysis of [3H]serotonin uptake showed a 90% reduction in Vmax for the paraplegic group relative to control values, thereby indicating the expected loss of descending serotonergic pathways. The high-affinity uptakes of 1 microM [3H]glutamate and [3H]GABA were the same in both the control and nonspastic paraplegic groups after 1 week. However, after 3 weeks, the uptakes of [3H]glutamate and [3H]GABA were 60-70% higher for the spastic group than for the control animals. For both amino acids, Eadie-Hofstee plots revealed no difference in Km and higher Vmax for the spastic group relative to control values. After 1 and 3 weeks, the Na+-independent binding of 5 nM [3H]glutamate was 40-85% higher and the binding of 10 nM [3H]GABA was 40-60% lower for the paraplegic groups relative to the values for the control animals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Interaction of uridine with GABA binding sites in cerebellar membranes of the rat

The effect of uridine, a postulated anticonvulsant agent, on GABA receptors has been investigated. Uridine inhibits [3H]GABA binding to rat cerebellar buffer-washed membranes. Pretreatment of the membranes with Triton X-100 increases the effect of uridine on GABA-binding. The Scatchard analysis reveals that both high and low affinities of GABA for its receptors are affected by 1 mM uridine, while the apparent number of binding sites remains unchanged. The ability of uridine to interact competitively with GABA binding sites, also examined by the Lineweaver-Burk analysis, suggests a possible mechanism of action of this anticonvulsant agent, so including it among those compounds characterized by a GABAergic agonist activity.

Biochemical and functional alterations of central GABA receptors during chronic estradiol treatment

The characteristics of GABA and benzodiazepine receptors were examined in the hippocampus, striatum and cerebral cortex of female rats at various times (up to 9 months) after the subcutaneous implantation of an estradiol pellet (10 mg). A significant decrease in the Bmax of the high-affinity binding of [3H]muscimol to membranes from these 3 regions was detected as soon as one week after the implantation. Although the characteristics of the high-affinity binding of [3H]flunitrazepam remained unaffected during the whole treatment, the stimulatory effect of GABA (and muscimol) on this binding was significantly reduced by estrogenization. The changes in GABA receptor binding appeared functionally relevant since the elevation of striatal acetylcholine levels normally induced by the peripheral administration of muscimol (5 mg/kg) was significantly lower in estradiol-treated than in control female rats. In contrast to that observed in intact female rats, the implantation of estradiol in hypophysectomized animals did not affect the characteristics of [3H]muscimol binding to hippocampal, striatal and cortical membranes. [3H]muscimol binding was also unchanged in female rats implanted with estradiol and treated chronically with bromocriptine for 3 weeks. Since both hypophysectomy and the chronic administration of bromocriptine suppressed the hyperprolactinemia normally induced by estrogenization, the down-regulation of central GABA receptors very likely involved prolactin in intact animals implanted with 17-beta-estradiol.

Characteristics of GABAB receptor binding sites on rat whole brain synaptic membranes

1 Saturable binding of (+/-)-[3H]-baclofen and [3H]-gamma- aminobutyric acid ([3H]-GABA) to rat brain crude synaptic membranes has been examined by means of a centrifugation assay. 2 The binding of [3H]-baclofen could be detected in fresh or previously frozen tissue and was dependent on the presence of physiological concentrations of Ca2+ or Mg2+ although a lower affinity Na+ -dependent component could also be observed. Both components probably reflect binding to receptor recognition sites. 3 The saturable portion of bound [3H]-baclofen formed 20.3 +/- 6.9% of total bound ligand. This could be displaced by GABA (IC50 = 0.04 microM), (-)-baclofen (0.04 microM) and to a much lesser extent by (+)-baclofen (33 microM). Isoguvacine, piperidine-4-sulphonic acid and bicuculline methobromide were inactive (up to 100 microM) and muscimol was only weakly active (IC50 = 12.3 microM). 4 Saturable binding of [3H]-GABA increased on adding CaCl2 or MgSO4 (up to 2.5 mM and 5.0 mM respectively) to the Tris-HCl incubation solution. This binding (GABAB site binding) was additional to the bicuculline-sensitive binding of GABA (GABAA site binding) and could be completely displaced by (-)-baclofen (IC50 = 0.13 microM). 5 Increasing the Ca2+ concentration (0 to 2.5 mM) increased the binding capacity of the membranes without changing their affinity for the ligand. 6 The binding of [3H]-GABA to GABAB sites could be demonstrated in fresh as well as previously frozen membranes with a doubling of the affinity being produced by freezing. Further incubation with the non-ionic detergent Triton-X-100 (0.05% v/v) reduced the binding capacity by 50%. 7 The pharmacological profile of displacers of [3H]-GABA from GABAB sites correlated well with that for [3H]-baclofen displacement. A correlation with data previously obtained in isolated preparations of rat atria and mouse vas deferens was also apparent. 8 It is concluded that [3H]-baclofen or [3H]-GABA are both ligands for the same bicuculline-insensitive, divalent cation-dependent binding sites in the rat brain.

High specific binding of [3H]GABA and [3H]muscimol to membranes from dendrodendritic synaptosomes of the rat olfactory bulb

Olfactory bulbs contain dendrodendritic synapses, which occur between granule cells and mitral cells, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is thought to act as an inhibitory neurotransmitter at these synapses. Synaptosomes derived from the dendrodendritic synapses of the olfactory bulb were shown previously to contain considerable L-glutamate decarboxylase activity. The subcellular distribution and binding parameters of [3H]GABA and [3H]muscimol binding sites have now been determined in the rat olfactory bulb. Of all fractions examined, crude synaptic membranes (CSM) prepared from the dendrodendritic synaptosomes were shown to have the highest specific binding activity and accounted for nearly all of the total binding activity for both ligands. The specific binding activities for [3H]GABA and for [3H]muscimol were greatly increased after treating the CSM with 0.05% Triton X-100. Binding was shown to be Na+-independent, reversible, pharmacologically specific, and saturable. High- and low-affinity sites were detected for both ligands, and both classes of sites had appreciably lower KD values for muscimol (KD1 = 3.1 nM, KD2 = 25.1 nM) than for GABA (KD1 = 8.6 nM; KD2 = 63.7 nM). The amounts of the high-affinity binding sites for muscimol and GABA were similar (Bmax = 1.7 and 1.5 pmol/mg protein, respectively). The results of the present experiments indicate that the GABA and muscimol binding sites represent the GABA postsynaptic receptor, presumably on mitral cell dendrites, and provide further support for the hypothesis that GABA functions as a neurotransmitter at the dendrodendritic synapses in the olfactory bulb.

An analysis of GABA receptor changes in the discrete regions of mouse brain after acute and chronic treatments with morphine

The effects of morphine on the affinity and distribution of GABA receptors in the mouse regions (striatum, medulla, diencephalon, cortex, and cerebellum) were investigated in relation to: (a) acute administration, (b) chronic administration (tolerance), (c) precipitated withdrawal by naloxone, an opiate antagonist, and (d) abrupt withdrawal for 8 and 24 h. The alterations in the affinity as reflected by the dissociation constant (KD) and the number of receptors (Bmax) in the synaptic membranes obtained from controls and various treatments were determined by radioligand binding assay using [3H]muscimol as a ligand. Significant changes were observed in striatum, medulla, and diencephalon, whereas other regions including whole brain exhibited marginal changes. In general the number of GABA receptors increased after tolerance development, which upon abrupt withdrawal returned to control levels except in the case of naloxone-induced precipitated withdrawal. The affinity changes in different regions were diverse in nature and were not evident in the whole brain membranes. These results indicate that: (as) the regional alterations in the affinity and distribution of GABA receptors may play a role in the induction, maintenance, and regression of morphine tolerance; (b) abrupt withdrawal and antagonist precipitated withdrawal affect the GABA system differently, (c) chronic morphine treatment appears to influence the GABA receptors in the cerebellum, a region generally known for its lack of opiate receptors.

Some properties of solubilized GABA receptor

gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor was solubilized from synaptic membrane of the rat brain by various detergents. Nonidet P-40, a non-ionic detergent, was found to be an effective solubilizing agent, since it caused no interference on the receptor binding assay, yielded a [3H]muscimol binding protein with a high specific activity and no aggregation, and preserved good stability of the solubilized fraction. Ammonium sulfate precipitation of the solubilized supernatant significantly increased the binding of [3H]muscimol to GABA receptor, possibly by removing heat-stable and small molecular inhibitory substances. The specific [3H]muscimol binding to the soluble fraction obtained by Nonidet P-40 treatment and subsequent ammonium sulfate precipitation, was saturable with KD 13 and 64 nM, and Bmax 3.4 and 1.8 pmol/mg protein, respectively. The enhancement of the [3H]muscimol binding by diazepam as found in synaptic membrane was also detected in the soluble fraction. Molecular weight of the [3H]muscimol binding site was determined by gel filtration on Sephadex G-200 and was calculated to be 270,000 daltons. This value was identical with that of the [3H]flunitrazepam binding site which appeared in the same solubilized fraction. These results indicate that the properties of solubilized GABA receptor are identical to those of membrane-bound GABA receptor. Furthermore, the present results suggest that both GABA and benzodiazepine receptors may reside on the same macromolecule in synaptic membrane.

Comparison of centrifugation and filtration assays of ligand binding: do multiple GABA receptive sites exist?

Filtration and microcentrifugation procedures for the separation of bound and free ligand are compared for the assay of GABA receptors. The 3H-GABA and 3H-muscimol are employed as ligands in saturation analyses of SPM and JC preparations. A direct comparison of the two methods, applied to two membrane preparations and two ligands, reveals that nonspecific binding is consistently higher with the microcentrifugation procedure. Analysis of the binding data yields essentially the same constants in either case; however, the filtration assay provides a better estimate in all cases.

Regulation of GABA receptor binding to synaptic plasma membrane of rat cerebral cortex: the role of endogenous phospholipids

Triton X-100 treatments produced an extensive depletion of proteins and phospholipids and a marked increase of [3H] GABA binding on synaptic plasma membranes (SPM). Maximal [3H]GABA binding was obtained with three Triton X-100 treatments (+ 174% with respect to control). Phospholipase C, which removes only the phospholipid polar head, induces a 40% increase of [3H]GABA binding only after treatments resulting in extensive protein depletion. In reconstitution experiments phosphatidylethanolamine, the largest phospholipid removed, induced a 30-35% inhibition of [3H]GABA binding in Triton X-100 treated membranes; in contrast phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylcholine did not produce significant changes. The reconstitution of phospholipase C-treated SPM preparations with exogenous phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylcholine or phosphoethanolamine and 1,2-dipalmitoylglycerol, products of phospholipase C activity, did not yield significant changes. This evidence, which argues against a direct role of phospholipids on the regulation of GABA binding, should, however, suggest that the GABA binding component of the receptor site is a lipoprotein or a lipid-depending protein.

GABA agonists. Development and interactions with the GABA receptor complex

This review describes the development of GABA receptor agonists with no detectable affinity for other recognition sites in GABA-mediated synapses. The key compounds are THIP, isoguvacine, and piperidine-4-sulphonic acid (P4S), developed via extensive structural modifications of the potent but not strictly specific GABA agonist muscimol. The structural parameters, which have to be considered in the design of GABA agonists are discussed on the basis of the structures and biological activities of these GABA agonists and a number of related compounds. A model, which summarizes our present knowledge of the structure of the postsynaptic GABA receptors complex, is presented, and the interaction of GABA agonists with various sites in this complex is discussed. Of particular interest are the effects of GABA agonists on the binding of diazepam to the benzodiazepine binding site, assumed to be a structural unit of the GABA receptor complex. While rigid molecules like THIP are capable of activating the GABA receptors, a certain degree of conformational mobility of GABA agonists apparently is a prerequisite for stimulation of diazepam binding in vitro at 0 degree C. The findings suggest that GABA receptor functions involve conformational changes of certain elements, including the attempts to develop GABA agonists with desirable pharmacokinetic and toxicological characteristics. While muscimol is a toxic compound, THIP is well tolerated by animals, and in contrast to isoguvacine, THIP penetrates into the brain after systemic administration to animals, a difference which can be explained on the basis of their protolytic properties. The attempts to develop pro-drugs of isoguvacine capable of penetrating the blood-brain barrier with subsequent decomposition in the brain tissue to isoguvacine are described.

3H-baclofen and 3H-GABA bind to bicuculline-insensitive GABA B sites in rat brain

The presence of a novel receptor for the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on peripheral autonomic nerve terminals and in mammalian brain slices has been described recently. This receptor differs from the classical GABA site as it is unaffected by recognized GABA antagonists such as bicuculline and is not sensitive to the majority of accepted GABA-mimetics such as 3-aminopropanesulphonic acid (3-APS) or isoguvacine. We propose to designate the classical site as the GABA A and the novel site as the GABA B receptor. The beta-p-chlorophenyl derivative of GABA, baclofen, is stereospecifically active at the GABA B site whereas it is devoid of activity at the classical GABA A3 site. We now report that high-affinity saturable binding of 3H-baclofen and 3H-GABA to the GABA B site can be detected in fragments of crude synaptic membranes prepared from rat brain. The results support the concept of a novel GABA receptor within the mammalian brain and show that GABA and baclofen can compete for the same recognition site.

Competitive inhibition of gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor binding by N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N'-2-e-ethanesulfonic acid and related buffers

Several Good buffers (MOPS, ACES, BES, HEPES, ADA, and PIPES) competitively inhibited both high-affinity and low-affinity [3H]gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor binding to rat brain synaptic membranes. The most potent inhibitor was MOPS, which had Ki values of 180 nM and 79 nM for the high- and low-affinity binding sites, respectively. HEPES had Ki values of 2.25 mM and 115 microM. The buffers had no appreciable effect on sodium-dependent GABA binding or on gamma-aminobutyrate aminotransferase activity. Surprisingly, the buffers were extremely ineffectual as inhibitors of either high- or low-affinity [3H]muscimol binding. Indeed, they were of the order of 10(5) times less effective in this case than against [3H]GABA binding. These results clearly show (a) that the use of such buffers as MOPS or HEPES should be avoided in studying the interaction of GABA with its receptor, and (b) the binding sites of [3H]GABA and [3H]muscimol are not identical.

gamma-Aminobutyric acid receptors in brain postsynaptic densities

Rat brain synaptic plasma membranes contain two receptorlike binding sites for the inhibitory transmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid. Postsynaptic junctional structures (postsynaptic densities) isolated from these membranes contain only the higher affinity site enriched more than sixfold compared to the membranes. The results provide the first direct evidence for the association of transmitter receptors with postsynaptic junctional sites in the brain.

Distribution of GABA receptors in the rat cerebellum

The distribution of GABA receptors in the cerebellum is not homogeneous. In comparison with detergent-treated membranes from the whole tissue the number of [3H]muscimol binding sites per mg protein (Bmax) is about doubled in preparations enriched in large fragments of the cerebellar glomeruli, and it is about one-third in the dissected deep nuclei. On the other hand, the apparent affinity (Kd) is similar in the different preparations. Comparison of the results with earlier studies suggests a heterogeneity in cerebellar GABA receptors and/or their control.

Inhibition of GABA and benzodiazepine receptor binding by penicillins

Penicillins are thought to be GABA receptor antagonists. In order to determine the affinities of various penicillin derivatives for the GABA receptor, their potencies as inhibitors of specific [3H]GABA binding to rat brain membranes were investigated. All investigated penicillins inhibit specific [3H]GABA binding, with IC50 values ranging from 2 to 60 mM. The results are consistent with the assumption that penicillins are weak GABA receptor antagonists.