title: Brain benzodiazepine receptor binding and purine concentration in Lesch-Nyhan syndrome.
abstract: Benzodiazepine receptor [( 3H]flunitrazepam) binding and purine concentration were measured in autopsied cerebral cortex of 4 patients who died with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. Receptor density was normal in all 4 regions of Lesch-Nyhan cortex examined. However, an enhancement of benzodiazepine receptor affinity (25% reduction in Kd) was found in well-washed parietal and occipital cortex homogenates. Maximal gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) stimulation of [3H]flunitrazepam binding was normal in temporal, parietal and occipital cortex but markedly reduced (by 50-80%) in frontal cortex. Increased sensitivity to hypoxanthine inhibition (30% reduction in Ki) was also observed in parietal cortex. The concentrations of the purines hypoxanthine, xanthine and inosine in Lesch-Nyhan parietal cortex were about twice the values measured in control material matched for postmortem time. We suggest that the above-normal concentrations of purines estimated to be present in Lesch-Nyhan brain may be sufficient to significantly affect the ability of the benzodiazepine receptor to modulate GABA-mediated brain mechanisms.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kish
authors.forename: I H
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Kapur
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lloyd
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Hornykiewicz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D019271:Hypoxanthine; D007042:Hypoxanthines / Q000032:analysis; D007288:Inosine / Q000032:analysis; D007926:Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011687:Purines / Q000032:analysis*; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000032:analysis*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission; D019820:Xanthine; D014970:Xanthines / Q000032:analysis; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D007042:Hypoxanthines; D011687:Purines; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D014970:Xanthines; D019820:Xanthine; D019271:Hypoxanthine; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D007288:Inosine