Characterization of wild-type (R100R) and mutated (Q100Q) GABAA alpha 6 subunit in Sardinian alcohol non-preferring rats (sNP).

Sardinian alcohol non-preferring (sNP) rats, selected for their low ethanol preference and consumption, carry a point mutation (R100Q) in the gene coding for GABA(A) receptor alpha(6) subunit, which becomes more sensitive to diazepam-evoked GABA currents. We performed binding studies in the cerebellum of normal (RR) and mutated (QQ) sNP rats using [3H]Ro 15-4513, an inverse agonist for the benzodiazepine site which binds both diazepam insensitive and diazepam sensitive sites. Saturation curves performed on cerebellar membrane from genotyped rats indicated an higher affinity of [3H]Ro 15-4513 for GABA(A) receptors in QQ with respect to RR rats (K(d) values 4.0+/-0.67 and 6.24+/-0.95 nM, respectively), with similar B(max) values (3.5+/-0.25 and 3.9+/-0.39 pmol/mg protein, respectively). Diazepam displacement curves showed a two component model for both genotypes, with similar K(i1) values for QQ and RR (3.6+/-0.62 and 4.9+/-0.33 nM, respectively). In QQ rats diazepam is able to completely displace [3H]Ro 15-4513 (K(i2)=1.48+/-0.27 microM), while in RR rats the diazepam sensitive sites are still present (K(i2)>10 microM). The basal mRNA and protein expression level of the alpha(6) subunit were similar in RR and QQ rats. The electrophysiological profile of oocytes of Xenopus laevis injected with cerebellar synaptosomes showed that ethanol positively modulated GABA-evoked currents significantly more in QQ than in RR rats. These data contribute to the characterization of the function of GABA(A) alpha(6) subunit and its involvement in determining alcohol related behavior.

Comparison of the effects of zaleplon, zolpidem, and triazolam at various GABA(A) receptor subtypes.

The pyrazolopyrimidine zaleplon is a hypnotic agent that acts at the benzodiazepine recognition site of GABA(A) receptors. Zaleplon, like the hypnotic agent zolpidem but unlike classical benzodiazepines, exhibits preferential affinity for type I benzodiazepine (BZ(1)/omega(1)) receptors in binding assays. The modulatory action of zaleplon at GABA(A) receptors has now been compared with those of zolpidem and the triazolobenzodiazepine triazolam. Zaleplon potentiated GABA-evoked Cl(-) currents in Xenopus oocytes expressing human GABA(A) receptor subunits with a potency that was higher at alpha1beta2gamma2 receptors than at alpha2- or alpha3-containing receptors. Zolpidem, but not triazolam, also exhibited selectivity for alpha1-containing receptors. However, the potency of zaleplon at these various receptors was one-third to one-half that of zolpidem. Zaleplon and zolpidem also differed in their actions at receptors containing the alpha5 or gamma3 subunit. Zaleplon, zolpidem, and triazolam exhibited similar patterns of efficacy among the different receptor subtypes. The affinities of zaleplon for [(3)H]flunitrazepam or t-[(35)S]butylbicyclophosphorothionate ([(35)S]TBPS) binding sites in rat brain membranes were lower than those of zolpidem or triazolam. Furthermore, zaleplon, unlike zolpidem, exhibited virtually no affinity for the peripheral type of benzodiazepine receptor.

Stereoselectivity of NCS-382 binding to gamma-hydroxybutyrate receptor in the rat brain.

gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), a naturally occurring metabolite of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), has been postulated to act both as a specific agonist of GHB receptors and as a weak GABA(B) receptor agonist. The racemic compound 6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-5-hydroxy-5H-benzocyclohept-6-ylideneacetic acid (RS-NCS-382), the only available antagonist of GHB receptors, has been resolved in two enantiomers, R- and S-; the potency of the latter to displace 4-hydroxy [2-3-(3)H] butyric acid ([(3)H]GHB) and [(3)H]NCS-382 from GHB receptors, on one hand, and [(3)H]baclofen from GABA(B) receptors on the other was compared in rat brain homogenates. R-NCS-382 was found to be twice and 60 times more potent than the RS- and S-forms, respectively, in displacing [(3)H]GHB and 2 and 14 times, respectively, in displacing [(3)H]NCS-382 from GHB binding. Neither RS-NCS-382 nor its enantiomers inhibited [(3)H]baclofen binding up to a concentration of 1 mM. Our results demonstrate that R-NCS-382 is the enantiomer of RS-NCS-382 with higher affinity for GHB receptors.