Chloride-dependent stimulation of GABA and benzodiazepine receptor binding by pentobarbital

Pentobarbital reversibly increased Na+-dependent GABA binding to bovine cerebral cortex membranes. This effect was chloride-dependent. Kinetic analysis of [3H]GABA binding revealed an increase of the apparent number of binding sites. Pretreatment of the membranes with Triton X-100 extremely diminished the effect of pentobarbital on both [3H]GABA and [3H]flunitrazepam binding.