Pharmacological characterization of the excitatory 'Cys-loop' GABA receptor family in Caenorhabditis elegans.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Ionotropic GABA receptors are evolutionarily conserved proteins that mediate cellular and network inhibition in both vertebrates and invertebrates. A unique class of excitatory GABA receptors has been identified in several nematode species. Despite well-characterized functions in Caenorhabditis elegans, little is known about the pharmacology of the excitatory GABA receptors EXP-1 and LGC-35. Using a panel of compounds that differentially activate and modulate ionotropic GABA receptors, we investigated the agonist binding site and allosteric modulation of EXP-1 and LGC-35.

Experimental approach

We used two-electrode voltage clamp recordings to characterize the pharmacological profile of EXP-1 and LGC-35 receptors expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes.

SUBMITTER: Nicholl GC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5386995 | biostudies-literature | 2017 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature