Functional Expression of GABAA Chloride Channels and Benzodiazepine Binding Sites in Baculovirus Infected Insect Cells

Abstract
We have employed the baculovirus expression system for the production of insect cell membranes having GABA/benzo–diazepine binding sites. Three recombinant baculoviruses each harboring a different GABAA receptor cDNA were introduced into insect cells by simultaneous infection. Infected cells expressed GABA responsive Cl− channels and benzodiazepine binding sites with the same pharmacological specificity as animal cells expressing these receptor subunits.