AGE-RELATED REGIONAL SENSITIVITY TO PERTUSSIS TOXIN-MEDIATED REDUCTION IN GABA(B) RECEPTOR-BINDING IN RAT-BRAIN

GABA(B) binding was performed in rat brain membranes incubated with pe rtussis toxin (PTX; 7-15 mug/mg protein) or vehicle during postnatal d evelopment. In peripubertal rats, GABA(B) binding was reduced by PTX i n corpus striatum and hippocampus but not in cortex or cerebellum, whi le in sexually mature adults binding was reduced in all areas except t he corpus striatum. These data may indicate regional differences in th e postnatal development of GABA(B) receptor-G protein linkage.