A GABA(A) receptor of defined subunit composition and positioning: concatenation of five subunits.
We show that the five subunits of a gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor (GABA(A) receptor) can be concatenated to yield a functional receptor. This concatenated receptor alpha(1)-beta(2)-alpha(1)-gamma(2)-beta(2) has the advantage of a known subunit arrangement. Most of its functional properties are not significantly different from a receptor formed by individual subunits. Extent of expression amounted to about 40% of that of non-concatenated receptors in Xenopus oocytes, after injection of oocytes with comparable amounts of cRNA coding for concatenated and non-concatenated receptors. The ability to express receptors consisting of five subunits enables detailed studies of GABA(A) receptor subtype selective compounds.
Department of Pharmacology, University of Bern, Friedbühlstrasse 49, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland.
Roland
R
Baur
Frédéric
F
Minier
Erwin
E
Sigel
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D009865:Oocytes; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018075:RNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014162:Transfection; D014981:Xenopus
D021122:Protein Subunits; D018075:RNA, Complementary; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A