Autoradiographic localization of α5 subunit-containing GABA(A) receptors in rat brain

Cyrille Sur, Luigia Fresu, Owain Howell, Ruth M. McKernan, John R. Atack

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Multiple subtypes of GABA(A) receptors are expressed in the rat central nervous system (CNS). To determine the distribution and proportion of α5 subunit containing receptors, quantitative autoradiographic analyses were performed with both [3H]L-655,708 and [3H]Ro15-1788, an α5 selective and a non selective benzodiazepine binding site ligand, respectively. High densities of [3H]L-655,708 binding sites were observed in hippocampus and olfactory bulb, where α5 receptors accounted for 20-35% of total [3H]Ro15- 1788 binding sites. Low levels of [3H]L-655,708 sites were associated with the cortex as well as amygdala, thalamic, hypothalamic and midbrain nuclei. These observations indicate that although [3H]L-655,708 binding sites have an overall low expression in rat CNS, they may contribute significantly to GABAergic inhibition in specific brain regions.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)265-270
Number of pages6
JournalBrain Research
Volume822
Issue number1-2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 20 Mar 1999
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Benzodiazepine
  • GABA
  • GABA(A) receptor
  • Hippocampus
  • [H]L- 655,708
  • [H]Ro15-1788

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