A GABAAreceptor of defined subunit composition and positioning: Concatenation of five subunits

Abstract
We show that the five subunits of a γ‐aminobutyric acid type A receptor (GABAAreceptor) can be concatenated to yield a functional receptor. This concatenated receptor α1–β2–α1–γ2–β2has the advantage of a known subunit arrangement. Most of its functional properties are not significantly different from a receptor formed by individual subunits. Extent of expression amounted to about 40% of that of non‐concatenated receptors in Xenopus oocytes, after injection of oocytes with comparable amounts of cRNA coding for concatenated and non‐concatenated receptors. The ability to express receptors consisting of five subunits enables detailed studies of GABAAreceptor subtype selective compounds.