[H-3]GABA BINDING IN BRAINS FROM HUNTINGTON CHOREA PATIENTS - ALTERED REGULATION BY PHOSPHOLIPIDS

Binding sites for tritium-labeled γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in cerebellar cortex of Huntington's chorea patients have an increased affinity but unaltered maximum capacity as compared to binding sites in tissue from control patients. A similar binding pattern is produced in control membranes by treatment with Triton X-100, phospholipase C, or glycerophosphoethanolamine. Thus, it is likely that phospholipids or their metabolites regulate the accessibility ofthe GABA binding site and that this regulation is abnormal in Huntington's chorea. Copyright © 1979 AAAS.