Central-type benzodiazepine binding sites in rat pituitary gland are of the BZ 1 subtype

Abstract

Experiments were performed to investigate the subtype of central-type benzodiazepine binding site present in rat pituitary gland. B max values for [ 3H] n-propyl β-carboline-3-carboxylate and [ 34H] flunitrazepam (for central-type binding only) were similar. Displacement of [ 3H] flunitrazepam by n-propyl β-carboline-3-carboxylate gave a linear Hofstee plot and a Hill coefficient close to unity. These results suggest that the central benzodiazepine binding sites in the pituitary are predominantly of the BZ 1 subtype, as found in the cerebellum.