GABA(A) receptor alpha-subunit proteins in human chronic alcoholics

Antibodies were raised against specific peptides from N-terminal regions of the alpha (1) and alpha (3) isoforms of the GABA(A) receptor, and used to assess the relative expression of these proteins in the superior frontal an d primary motor cortices of 10 control, nine uncomplicated alcoholic and si x cirrhotic alcoholic cases were matched for age and post-mortem delay. The regression of expression on post-mortem delay was not statistically signif icant for either isoform in either region. In both cortical areas, the regr ession of a, expression on age differed significantly between alcoholic cas es, which showed a decrease, and normal controls, which did not. Age had no effect on alpha (3) expression. The alpha (1) and alpha (3) isoforms were found to be expressed differentially across cortical regions and showed a t endency to be expressed differentially across case groups. In cirrhotic alc oholics, alpha (1) expression was greater in superior frontal than in motor cortex, whereas this regional difference was not significant in controls o r uncomplicated alcoholics. In uncomplicated alcoholics, alpha (3) expressi on was significantly lower in superior frontal than in motor cortex. Expres sion of alpha (1) was significantly different from that Of alpha (3) in the superior frontal cortex of alcoholics, but not in controls. In motor corte x, there were no significant differences in expression between the isoforms in any case group.