CHARACTERIZATION OF THE BINDING OF [MUSCIMOL-H-3, A POTENT GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID AGONIST, TO RAT-BRAIN SYNAPTOSOMAL MEMBRANES USING A FILTRATION ASSAY

Abstract— The binding of [3H]muscimol, a potent GABA agonist, to crude synaptic membranes prepared from rat brain was studied using a filtration method to isolate membrane‐bound ligand. Specific binding was found to be saturable and occurred to two binding sites of Kd5 5 and 30 nm. Binding was Na+‐independent and enhanced by both freezing and Triton treatment. Regional and subcellular distribution studies and pharmacological characterization of specific [3H]muscimol binding are consistent with binding to the synaptic GABA receptor. Copyright © 1979, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved