TY - JOUR T1 - Immortalized hypothalamic GT1-7 neurons express functional gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptors. JF - Molecular Pharmacology JO - Mol Pharmacol SP - 197 LP - 202 VL - 42 IS - 2 AU - T G Hales AU - H Kim AU - B Longoni AU - R W Olsen AU - A J Tobin Y1 - 1992/08/01 UR - http://molpharm.aspetjournals.org/content/42/2/197.abstract N2 - Neuronal cell lines provide a source of pure populations of neurons and allow the properties of many neurotransmitter receptors to be studied. However, none of these cells have been reported to express functional gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptors. Indeed, there have been no reports of cell lines expressing functional amino acid receptors. Using biochemical and electrophysiological techniques, we have identified a neuronal cell line expressing functional GABAA receptors. Membranes from immortalized hypothalamic (GT1-7) neurons bound [3H]muscimol but not [3H]flunitrazepam. GABA-activated chloride currents, recorded from GT1-7 cells, were blocked by bicuculline and Zn2+ but were insensitive to diazepam. These results suggest that GABAA receptors on GT1-7 cells lack gamma subunits. The neurosteroid 5 alpha-pregnan-3 alpha-ol-20-one and pentobarbital both modulated GABAA receptors in these cells. Polymerase chain reaction analysis of the cells revealed the presence of mRNAs encoding alpha 1, beta 1, and beta 3 polypeptides. GT1-7 cells provide a useful model system for studying the regulation of GABAA receptor polypeptide expression. ER -