PERIPHERAL-TYPE BENZODIAZEPINE RECEPTORS

1. The pharmacological effects of benzodiazepines are mediated through a class of recognition sites associated with the gamma-aminobutyric a cid A receptor. A second class of benzodiazepine binding sites is foun d in virtually all mammalian peripheral tissues and is therefore calle d the peripheral type benzodiazepine receptor (PER). 2. The first sect ion of this review describes the tissue and subcellular distribution o f the PER in mammalian tissues and analyzes its many putative endogeno us ligands. 3. The next section deals with the pharmacological, struct ural and molecular characterization of the PER that has taken place in the past few years. 4. The final section describes the possible physi ological role(s) of the PER and identifies future work that would help deepen our understanding of the PER and its function. (C) 1997 Elsevi er Science Inc.