BIOCHEMICAL AND FUNCTIONAL IDENTIFICATION OF GABA RECEPTORS IN HYDRA-VULGARIS

GABA binding sites labelled in vitro with [H-3]GABA are present in crude membrane preparations from hydra vulgaris. [H-3]GABA binding is specific (70%), saturable and it is completely displaced by the GABA mimetic muscimol but not by bicuculline or baclofen. Scatchard analysis of saturation data indicates the presence of only one population of binding sites with a Bmax of 4,75 pmol/mg of protein and a KD of 76 nM. In the living animal GABA and benzodiazepines increase the duration of mouth opening during the glutathione-induced feeding response. Bicuculline prevents the GABA-induced increase of the feeding response. Diazepam activity is enhanced by simultaneous GABA administration and it is suppressed by the specific antagonist flumazenil. In contrast, no [H-3]- flunitrazepam binding is detected in membrane preparations. We conclude that a population of GABA receptors is present in Hydra tissues, where they are involved in the modulation of response to chemical stimulation.