GABA_A receptors are differentially sensitive to zinc: dependence on subunit composition

Abstract

GABAA receptors with different subunit composition, were expressed in kidney cells and studied by whole cell recording. Expressed GABAA receptors were differentially sensitive to inhibition by zinc; receptors which lacked the gamma subunit were inhibited by zinc. Embryonic neurons also exhibited zinc-sensitive GABA responses, in contrast to adult neurones. This developmentally-sensitive aspect of GABAA receptor pharmacology may be partly dependent on expression of the gamma subunit.