Chromosomes 4 and 13 in beta-carboline-induced seizures in mice: benzodiazepine binding

Methyl beta-carboline-3-carboxylate (beta-CCM) is a ligand for the benzodia zepine (BZD) binding site of the GABA-A receptors with convulsive propertie s. We provided evidence for the involvement of a fragment of mouse chromoso mes 4 and 13 in beta-CCM-induced seizures in a previous paper. Here, we ana lyzed, through [H-3]-flumazenil binding, whether central BZD binding sites could be involved in the physiological processes underlying these differenc es of genetic sensitivities. In the JE/Le strain, where the effects of the chromosome 4 fragment can be analyzed, we found associations between [H-3]- flumazenil binding and the convulsive action of beta-CCM. On the contrary, this no longer holds true in C3XtEso strain, where the effects of the chrom osome 13 fragment were observed. NeuroReport 11:2157-2161 (C) 2000 Lippinco tt Williams & Wilkins.