MODE AND SITE OF ACTION OF NEUROEXCITATORY DRUGS ON A GABA-MEDIATED SYNAPSE AND LOCALIZATION OF GABAergic RECEPTOR SITES IN INSECTS

摘要

Recently, the presence of all the neurochemical elements required for the functioning of GABAergic synapses has been shown for the locust central nervous system (J. Comp. Physiol. 157:343). In addition, evidence is accumulating that GABAergic receptors show a different binding pharmacology when compared to vertebrates (Neurosci. Let. 60:13). In light of the above, we have developed a GABA-mediated synaptic transmission assay to investigate the reported differences between GABA receptors in vertebrates and in invertebrates. We have also determined the distribution of putative GABAergic sites in the central nervous system of several insect species.