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Postnatal development and GABA allosteric modulation of benzodiazepine receptor binding in the vitamin B-6 deficient
1Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205.
Abstract:
We have measured the postnatal development and GABA modulation of benzodiazepine receptors in neuronal membranes from vitamin B-6 deficient and normal rats. In rats fed vitamin B-6 adequate and deficient diets there were age-dependent changes in [3H]flunitrazepam binding site affinity and in the number of binding sites. Vitamin B-6 deficiency produced a significant reduction in the potency of GABA to enhance [3H]flunitrazepam binding to cortical membranes prepared from 14 day old rats. These results suggests an uncoupling of the GABAa/benzodiazepine receptor at a developmental period when the animals are most susceptible to spontaneous seizures.