β-Scorpion toxin induces the release of γ-[3H]aminobutyric acid in rat brain slices

The effect of the β-scorpion toxin, TiTX y on the release of [ 3 H]GABA from rat brain cortical slices is described. The stimulatory effect of TiTX γ on the release of [ 3 H]GABA was dependent on incubation time and TiTX y concentration with an EC 50 of 0.19 μM. The scorpion toxin effect was calcium dependent and was completely inhibited by tetrodotoxin. β-Alanine also induced the release of [ 3 H]GABA and this effect was not inhibited by tetrodotoxin but was additive in the presence of TiTX γ. The data suggest a neuronal origin for the release of [ 3 H]GABA by TiTX γ.