%0 Journal Article %A H Havoundjian %A S M Paul %A P Skolnick %T Acute, stress-induced changes in the benzodiazepine/gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor complex are confined to the chloride ionophore. %D 1986 %J Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics %P 787-793 %V 237 %N 3 %X Rapid and robust changes in the chloride ionophore component of the benzodiazepine/gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor complex ("supramolecular complex") were observed in the central nervous system of rats exposed to a brief, ambient temperature swim stress. Stress-induced modification of the chloride ionophore was manifest as an increase in the efficacy of halides (Cl-, Br- and I-) to enhance [3H]flunitrazepam binding. In contrast, neither gamma-aminobutyric acid-enhanced [3H]flunitrazepam binding nor [3H] flunitrazepam binding assayed in the absence of halide ions was altered by stress. Furthermore, the number of [35S]t-butylbicyclophosphorothionate binding sites and the apparent affinity of this radioligand were increased as a result of stress, as was the ability of Cl- and low concentrations of muscimol to increase the binding of this radioligand. These changes could represent the physiological attempt of an organism to compensate for stressful changes in the environment. %U https://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/jpet/237/3/787.full.pdf