Specific [3H]gamma-aminobutyric acid binding to vestibular membranes of the chick inner ear.

To support a postulated neurotransmitter character of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the vertebrate vestibule, [3H]GABA binding was measured in a crude membrane preparation of chick inner ear ampullary cristae. In the absence of divalent cations bound [3H]GABA was displaced by unlabeled GABA, muscimol or bicuculline, but it was not displaced by (+/-)-baclofen. A single population of [3H]GABA binding sites with an equilibrium constant of 19.4 nM and a maximum binding capacity of 0.58 pmol/mg protein was found. These results suggest the possible existence of a synaptic GABAA receptor in the chick inner ear membranes and sustain the neurotransmitter role of GABA in the chick vestibule.