Differential subcellular distribution of the alpha 6 subunit versus the alpha 1 and beta 2/3 subunits of the GABAA/benzodiazepine receptor complex in granule cells of the cerebellar cortex.
The distribution of the alpha 6 subunit of the GABAA receptor has been established in rat cerebellum and compared to the distribution of the alpha 1 (cat) and the beta 2/3 (rat, cat) subunits, using immunocytochemistry. The synapses established by Golgi cell terminals on the dendrites of granule cells were immunoreactive for the alpha 6, alpha 1 and beta 2/3 subunits in virtually all glomeruli, indicating that two variants (alpha 1 and alpha 6) of the same subunit are co-localized at the same synapses. The somatic membranes of the granule cells, which receive no synapses, were immunopositive for the alpha 1 and beta 2/3 subunits, but not for the alpha 6 subunit. Thus, the alpha 1 and the beta 2/3 subunits are located at both synaptic and extrasynaptic sites, but the alpha 6 subunit is detectable only at synaptic sites.
Baude
A
A
Medical Research Council, Oxford University, U.K.
Sequier
J M
JM
McKernan
R M
RM
Olivier
K R
KR
Somogyi
P
P
D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D002525:Cerebellar Cortex / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D051381:Rats; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D013347:Subcellular Fractions / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013569:Synapses / Q000648:ultrastructure
D011963:Receptors, GABA-A