Synthesis of chick brain GABA receptors by frog oocytes.
Poly(A)-mRNA, extracted from the optic lobe of chick embryos, directs the synthesis of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors in Xenopus laevis oocytes. The receptors are inserted into the oocyte membrane, where they form receptor--channel complexes. When activated by GABA, and related agonists, the chick brain receptors open membrane channels that are permeable to chloride ions. Thus, Xenopus oocytes provide a novel and useful approach to the study of brain receptors.
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain; D002642:Chick Embryo; D002645:Chickens; D002712:Chlorides / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D009865:Oocytes; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014982:Xenopus laevis
D002712:Chlorides; D007473:Ion Channels; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter