Late evolutionary appearance of 'peripheral-type' binding sites for benzodiazepines.
Four classes of non-mammalian vertebrates were examined for the presence of both 'brain-specific' and 'peripheral-type' binding sites for benzodiazepines in the central nervous system. 'Brain-specific' binding sites for benzodiazepines were found in the central nervous systems of all non-mammalian vertebrates studied. However, in contrast to mammals, either very low or undetectable levels of 'peripheral-type' binding sites for benzodiazepines were observed in the central nervous systems of these non-mammalian vertebrates. Furthermore, the density of 'peripheral-type' binding sites for benzodiazepines in non-mammalian vertebrate heart was less than or equal to 2% of that found in mammalian cardiac tissue. These findings suggest a very late evolutionary appearance of 'peripheral-type' binding sites for benzodiazepines, implying that these sites may have (a) highly specialized function(s) in both peripheral tissues and the central nervous system.
Bolger
G T
GT
Weissman
B A
BA
Lueddens
H
H
Basile
A S
AS
Mantione
C R
CR
Barrett
J E
JE
Witkin
J M
JM
Paul
S M
SM
Skolnick
P
P
D000818:Animals; D001570:Benzodiazepinones / Q000378:metabolism; D005075:Biological Evolution; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D010856:Columbidae; D005445:Flunitrazepam / Q000378:metabolism; D008116:Lizards; D008297:Male; D009928:Organ Specificity; D011869:Radioligand Assay; D011892:Rana catesbeiana; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000032:analysis*; D014337:Trout; D014714:Vertebrates / Q000378:metabolism*
D001570:Benzodiazepinones; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; C028513:4'-chlorodiazepam; D005445:Flunitrazepam