Differential expression of GABAA receptor α‐subunits in rat brain during development

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Abstract
Unique cytoplasmic loop regions of the α1, α2, α3 and α5 subunits of the GABAA receptor have been expressed in E. coli and used to generate polyclonal antisera specific for these subunits. The antibodies identify proteins by SDS‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and western blotting of molecular size 51 kDa, 53 kDa, 59 kDa and 55 kDa, respectively, which show differential patterns of expression during development. Whereas the α2 and α3 subunits are present at early stages, the expression of α1 and α5 subunits is low at birth and increases with age. This differential expression could be correlated with previous studies examining the developmental expression of BZ1 and BZ2 benzodiazepine binding sites.