Altered atypical coupling of γ-aminobutyrate type A receptor agonist and convulsant binding sites in subunit-deficient mouse lines

Abstract We searched for subunit correlations for GABA A receptor-associated atypically GABA-insensitive [ 35 S]TBPS binding. The homomeric β3 subunit receptors could be excluded, as GABA-insensitive [ 35 S]TBPS binding was present in β3−/− mice. Localization of GABA-insensitive [ 35 S]TBPS binding correlated best with those of δ, α4 and α6 subunit mRNAs. The amounts of GABA-insensitive [ 35 S]TBPS binding components were increased in δ−/− mice, but dramatically reduced in α6−/− mice, suggesting a role for α6 but excluding δ subunits.