Sensitivity of AMPA receptors to pentobarbital.

The inhibitory effects of pentobarbital on various AMPA receptors expressed (GluR1, GluR3, GluR1/3, GluR1/2, and GluR2/3) in Xenopus oocytes were examined. Combinations of AMPA receptor subunits that included GluR2 demonstrated a much higher sensitivity to blockade by this barbiturate and the apparent co-operativity of the interaction of pentobarbital with the receptor was reduced. This evidence demonstrates that the GluR2 subunit alters the structure of AMPA receptors in such a way as to facilitate any interaction with this barbiturate.