title: Differential expression of GABAA receptor alpha-subunits in rat brain during development.
abstract: Unique cytoplasmic loop regions of the alpha 1, alpha 2, alpha 3, and alpha 5 subunits of the GABAA receptor have been expressed in E. coli and used to generate polyclonal antisera specific for these subunits. The antibodies identify proteins by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and western blotting of molecular size 51 kDa, 53 kDa, 59 kDa and 55 kDa, respectively, which show differential patterns of expression during development. Whereas the alpha 2 and alpha 3 subunits are present at early stages, the expression of alpha 1 and alpha 3 subunits is low at birth and increases with age. This differential expression could be correlated with previous studies examining the developmental expression of BZ1 and BZ2 benzodiazepine binding sites.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Merck Sharp and Dohme Research Laboratories, Harlow, Essex, UK.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: McKernan
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.forename: N P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Gillard
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Whiting
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001665:Binding Sites; D015153:Blotting, Western; D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D005442:Flumazenil / Q000378:metabolism; D005445:Flunitrazepam / Q000378:metabolism; D011869:Radioligand Assay; D051381:Rats; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D005442:Flumazenil; D005445:Flunitrazepam