Binding studies in the lurcher mutant suggest an uneven distribution of putative benzodiazepine receptor subclasses in the mouse cerebellum

Abstract

Binding studies using [ 3H]flunitrazepam in the cerebellum of normal and Lurcher mutant mice indicate that about 90% of the total benzodiazepine receptor population reside on the Purkinje and granule cells. Moreover, the specific binding of the BZ 1 receptor subclass specific ligand [ 3H]propyl-β-carboline-3-carboxylate suggests that neuronal elements of the mouse cerebellum other than the Purkinje and granule cells contain about 18% of the BZ 1 receptors but only about 7% of the BZ 2 receptors of the mouse cerebellum.