| Figure 1. |
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| Hypothetical pentameric structure of a GABAA receptor containing two a and b subunits and a single g subunit to form an intrinsic Cl- ion channel. Also shown are many of the drugs and putative ligands known to interact at one or more sites associated with GABAA receptors to either positively or negatively modulate GABA-gated Cl- ion conductance. Although many of these compounds have been shown to augment GABA-mediated Cl- ion conductance rather selectively (e,g., benzodiazepines picrotoxin/cage convulsants) several (e.g., barbiturates, alcohols, and anesthetics) have been shown to bind to and affect other receptors and channels as well. |
published 2000