Subunit-dependent interaction of the general anaesthetic etomidate with the γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor

摘要

It is concluded that the subtype of β-subunit influences the potency with which etomidate potentiates GABA-evoked currents and that the β isoform is a crucial determinant of the GABA-mimetic activity of this compound. The nature of the α-subunit also impacts upon the maximal potentiation and activation that the compound may elicit. Such pronounced influences may aid the identification of the site that recognizes etomidate. More generally, these results provide a clear example of structural specificity in anaesthetic action.