title: Experience influences environmental modulation of function at the benzodiazepine (BZD)/GABA receptor chloride channel complex.
abstract: Function of the benzodiazepine (BZD)/GABA receptor chloride channel complex was selectively altered by specific aspects of an environmental challenge, i.e. encountering a stranger in a familiar versus an unfamiliar environment. Chloride (Cl-) enhancement of [3H]flunitrazepam [( 3H]flu) binding was facilitated in rats tested in an unfamiliar environment relative to that in rats tested in a familiar environment. Basal [3H]flu binding (binding in the absence of NaCl) also was greater in rats tested in the unfamiliar environment than in rats tested in the familiar environment, and Scatchard analysis of [3H]flu binding indicated that increased [3H]flu binding in the unfamiliar environment reflected an increase in both binding affinity and maximal binding capacity. In addition, both the sensitivity of [3H]flu binding to Cl- and the affinity of BZD recognition sites were decreased in handled control rats relative to non-handled control rats as well as to environmentally-challenged (prehandled) rats, suggesting that the experience of daily handling as well as familiarization with the environment modulates function at the BZD/GABA receptor complex. GABA-mediated 36Cl- uptake was facilitated by testing in either the familiar or unfamiliar environment relative to that measured in non-handled control rats. Thus, changes in GABA-gated chloride channel function may reflect a more fundamental response of this complex to challenging situations. These findings suggest that components of the BZD/GABA receptor complex are differentially influenced by specific aspects of an environmental challenge. Furthermore, function at the BZD recognition site/chloride channel component of this receptor complex is influenced by both repeated and single exposure to specific environments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Rochester, NY 14627.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Primus
authors.forename: C K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Kellogg
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001007:Anxiety; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000378:metabolism*; D018118:Chloride Channels; D002712:Chlorides / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005445:Flunitrazepam / Q000378:metabolism; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D012931:Social Environment; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D018118:Chloride Channels; D002712:Chlorides; D007473:Ion Channels; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D005445:Flunitrazepam