DISTRIBUTION OF THE GABA(A) RECEPTOR COMPLEX BETA-2 3 SUBUNITS IN THEBRAIN OF THE FROG RANA-PIPIENS/

This report describes the distribution of labeling of the monoclonal a ntibody bd-17 against the beta 2/3 subunits of the mammalian GABA(A) r eceptor complex throughout the brain of the frog Rana pipiens. The dis tribution matches quite closely those in homologous brain regions as p reviously described for this antibody in fishes, birds, and mammals, i ndicating that this antibody also labels beta 2/3 subunits of frog. A semiquantitative analysis of the distribution of labeling throughout t he brain is based upon relative optical densities with respect to the structure showing maximal optical density in each brain, using standar d illumination conditions. Comparison with distributions in birds and mammals suggests that these GABA(A) receptor complex subunits are stro ngly conserved in vertebrate evolution and play an important role in t he visual, auditory, olfactory and motor systems. (C) 1997 Elsevier Sc ience Ireland Ltd.