Loreclezole as a simple functional marker for homomeric rho type GABA(C) receptors

GABA(C) receptors are expressed in the whole brain, but predominantly in th e retina. They can be identified by their unique pharmacology. The establis hment of the entire pharmacology is, however, quite tedious. We show here t hat loreclezole dose dependently inhibits ionic currents elicited by GABA ( gamma -aminobutyric acid) with an IC50 of about 0.5 muM in homomeric pi GAB A, receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Thus, loreclezole may constitute a functional marker for these receptors. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. Al l rights reserved.