Identification of GABAA receptor subunits expressed in bovine adrenal medulla.

The GABAA receptor subunits expressed in adrenal medulla have been characterized by radioligand binding and by immunological methods. The receptors were purified by both benzodiazepine affinity chromatography and anti-alpha 1 413-429 GABAA receptor antibody immunoaffinity chromatography. These preparations were screened by immunoblotting using GABA receptor alpha subunit sequence-specific antibodies. Results showed the existence of the alpha 1 subunit. Thus, the GABAA receptors expressed in adrenal medulla are homogeneous with respect to their alpha subunit complement and consistent with type BZ1 benzodiazepine receptor pharmacology.