Assembly of functional GABAA receptors in insect cells using baculovirus expression vectors

Atkinson, Allan E.; Bermudez, Isabel; Darlison, Mark G.; Barnard, Eric A.; Earley, Fergus G. P.; Possee, Robert D.; Beadle, David J.; King, Linda A.

Abstract

We have constructed recombinant baculoviruses containing cDNAs encoding either the [alpha]1- or the [beta]1-subunit of the bovine GABAA receptor. In Spodoptera frugiperda (IPLB-Sf-21) cells infected with recombinant virus expressing either the [alpha]1- or [beta]1-subunit, or in cells co-infected with both viruses, functional GABAA receptors were detected by whole-cell electrophysiological recordings. The threshold for the responses mediated by the homo-oligomeric channels ([alpha]- or [beta]-) was 2-3 X 10-6 M GABA, and for the co-infected cells was 8 X 10-8 M GABA, suggesting that hetero-oligomeric channels formed in these cells. All GABA-induced currents were found to be inhibited by bicuculline and picrotoxin, potentiated by pentobarbital but were insensitive to benzodiazepines.

Citation

Atkinson, A. E., Bermudez, I., Darlison, M. G., Barnard, E. A., Earley, F. G. P., Possee, R. D., Beadle, D. J., & King, L. A. (1992). Assembly of functional GABAA receptors in insect cells using baculovirus expression vectors. NeuroReport, 3(7), 597-600. https://doi.org/10.1097/00001756-199207000-00013

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 1, 1992
• Publication Date: 1992-07
• Deposit Date: Aug 5, 2016
• Journal: NeuroReport
• Print ISSN: 0959-4965
• Electronic ISSN: 1473-558X
• Publisher: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 3
• Issue: 7
• Pages: 597-600
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/00001756-199207000-00013
• Keywords: GABAA receptor, Baculovirus expression;, Insect cells
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/327995