Binding of flunitrazepam to differentiating neurons cultured in a chemically defined, hormone-supplemented medium.
[3H]Flunitrazepam (FNZ) binding to cortical neurons from fetal rat brain was investigated in vitro. The use of a synthetic medium specific for neurons made it possible to plot a developmental curve of 3H-FNZ binding in an almost pure neuronal culture. Detectable specific binding was present in vitro at time 0 (that is, the 16th gestational day). A progressive increase of binding, due to an increment in the number of recognition sites, was observed on the subsequent days. The affinity of the specific binding sites to 3H-FNZ was enhanced by the addition of exogenous GABA, whereas the density was not affected.
Savettieri
G
G
Istituto di Neuropsichiatria, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Italy.
Guarneri
R
R
Salemi
G
G
La Bella
V
V
Ferraro
D
D
Scondotto
S
S
Piccoli
F
F
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003470:Culture Media; D005445:Flunitrazepam / Q000378:metabolism*; D006728:Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000494:pharmacology
D003470:Culture Media; D006728:Hormones; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D005445:Flunitrazepam