Abstract
The polypeptide snake toxin alpha-bungarotoxin (BTX) has been used in hundreds of studies on the structure, function, and development of the neuromuscular junction because it binds tightly and specifically to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) at this synapse. We show here that BTX also binds to and blocks a subset of GABA(A) receptors (GABA(A)Rs) that contain the GABA(A)R beta3 subunit. These results introduce a previously unrecognized tool for analysis of GABA(A)Rs but may complicate interpretation of some studies on neuronal nAChRs.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Binding Sites
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Bungarotoxins / metabolism*
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Bungarotoxins / pharmacology*
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Cell Line
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Chlorides / antagonists & inhibitors
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Chlorides / pharmacology
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Cholinergic Antagonists / metabolism*
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Cholinergic Antagonists / pharmacology*
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Cricetinae
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Electric Conductivity
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Extracellular Space / metabolism
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GABA Antagonists / metabolism*
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GABA Antagonists / pharmacology*
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Humans
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Oocytes / metabolism
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Protein Subunits / genetics
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Protein Subunits / metabolism
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Receptors, GABA / genetics
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Receptors, GABA / metabolism*
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Xenopus laevis / genetics
Substances
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Bungarotoxins
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Chlorides
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Cholinergic Antagonists
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GABA Antagonists
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Protein Subunits
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Receptors, GABA