Enhancement by sulfatide of Na+-independent [3H]GABA binding in mouse brain

The effect of exogenous sulfatide on [3H]gamma-aminobutyric acid binding to postsynaptic receptors was investigated. Sulfatide (0.1 mM) increased the high affinity binding sites by 67% when it was incubated with membrane tissue at 37 degrees C for 20 min prior to [3H]gamma-aminobutyric acid binding assay. Preincubation of 0.05% Triton X-100 treated tissue with 0.1 mM sulfatide at 37 degrees C for 20 min augmented the high and low affinity binding sites by 16.4 and 16.2%, respectively. The results of the present study indicate that sulfatide may play a significant role in contributing to the integrity of gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors.