Enhancement of t-[35S]butylbicyclophosphorothionate and [3H]strychnine binding by monovalent anions reveals similarities between gamma-aminobutyric acid- and glycine-gated chloride channels.

The characteristics of [3H]strychnine and t-[35S]-butylbicyclophosphorothionate ([35S]TBPS) binding to sites associated with glycine- and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-gated chloride channels were compared in the presence of a series of anions with known permeabilities through these channels. Good correlations were found between (a) the potencies (EC50) of these anions to stimulate radioligand binding and their permeabilities relative to chloride; (b) the affinities (KD) of these radioligands in the presence of fixed concentrations of these anions and their relative permeabilities; (c) the potencies (EC50) of these anions to stimulate [35S]TBPS and [3H]strychnine binding; and (d) the affinities (KD) of [3H]strychnine and [35S]TBPS measured at a fixed concentration of these anions. These studies support electrophysiological and biochemical observations demonstrating similarities between glycine- and GABA-gated chloride channels, and suggest that anions enhance [3H]strychnine and [35S]TBPS binding through specific anion binding sites located at the channels.