Interestingly, those who had disclosed their status to close frie

Interestingly, those who had disclosed their status to close friends were more likely to report difficulty taking ART than those who had not disclosed their status to close friends. Of the attitudes evaluated (outlined in Fig. 1), not believing in the benefits of ART, concern about the effectiveness of ART in the future, reporting that tablets were an unwanted reminder of HIV infection, negative body image/changes, a negative impact of HIV/AIDS on sex and relationships and a SCH727965 molecular weight high degree of confidence that unprotected sex was not a risky behaviour were associated with increased likelihood of reporting difficulty taking ART at

a level of α=0.05. A positive health attitude and/or the adoption of positive strategies to manage one’s health was associated with a reduced likelihood of reporting difficulty taking ART. Deeming safe sex to be nonessential because of treatment effects also met the criterion for inclusion in multivariable analysis. The level GPCR Compound Library concentration of support from a range of sources (HIV-positive

friends, close friends, parents, family in general, a counsellor and the respondent’s doctor) was the only socioeconomic factor associated with reported difficulty taking ART at a level of α=0.05. Education level, urbanicity and additional support variables (support from partner/spouse and PLWH groups) also met the criterion for entry into multivariable analyses (see Fig. 1 for the full list of socioeconomic factors investigated). Of the treatment-related variables assessed (see Fig. 1), dosing frequency, the type of regimen taken, the

length of time on ART, and experiencing physical adverse events in the last 12 months or health service discrimination in the last 2 years were associated with reported difficulty taking ART at a level of α=0.05. No additional variables met the criterion for inclusion in the multivariable analyses. Of the disease-related factors assessed (outlined in Fig. 1), diagnosis of an ADI was associated with reported difficulty taking ART at a level of α=0.05. The respondent’s most recent CD4 cell count also met the criterion for inclusion in multivariable analyses. Variables that had shown a significant association in bivariate analyses at the level of α=0.2 were included in multivariable nearly analysis. Initially, we set up logistic regression models of clusters of variables that were expected to exhibit a high degree of collinearity (step 1 models). At step 1, we created four models: (i) a substance use model, (ii) an other personal factors and attitudes model, (iii) a socioeconomic factor model, and (iv) a treatment-related and disease-related factor model. Variables that remained significantly associated with reported difficulty taking ART at step 1 at the level of α=0.1 were included in the step 2 logistic regression model. The following variables maintained an independent association with reported difficulty taking ART at the level of α=0.

1a) Transcription initiation at the melR promoter is dependent o

1a). Transcription initiation at the melR promoter is dependent on activation buy Saracatinib by CRP and is repressed by MelR binding to a single target site (denoted R) overlapping the melR transcript start. Wade et al. (2000) reported that efficient MelR-dependent repression of the melR promoter requires upstream sequences

that covered the melAB promoter and that the most important element in repression is MelR binding at target site 2. Further detailed analysis by Samarasinghe et al. (2008) showed that MelR bound at sites 1 and 1′ plays a role in repression, and images from atomic force microscopy suggested that repression is due to a nucleoprotein complex consisting of four MelR subunits and ~170 base pairs of DNA between MelR-binding

target site 2 and target site R. Most members of the AraC family of transcription regulators function as homodimers of two subunits with the N-terminal domain of each subunit involved in ligand binding and dimerization, and the C-terminal domain responsible for DNA binding (Gallegos et al., 1997). C-terminal domains of AraC family members are highly conserved, http://www.selleckchem.com/products/CP-690550.html carry two helix-turn-helix motifs and bind to asymmetric ~18 base pair target operator sequences. As it is well established that effective transcriptional repression can result from the two subunits of a single AraC dimer binding to two separated target sites (Schleif, 2010), and as MelR has been shown to dimerise (Bourgerie et al., 1997; Kahramanoglou et al., 2006), we revisited the E. coli 17-DMAG (Alvespimycin) HCl melibiose operon regulatory region

to investigate whether two DNA sites for MelR could be manipulated to produce efficient MelR-dependent repression of the melR promoter. In this work, we exploited the low-copy-number lac expression vector plasmid, pRW50, encoding resistance to tetracycline (Lodge et al., 1992). The starting points of the work were pRW50 derivatives carrying the TB22 and TB23 EcoRI-HindIII fragments (Fig. 1b) containing the E. coli melR promoter, as described by Samarasinghe et al. (2008). These recombinant pRW50 derivatives each carry a melR promoter::lacZ fusion, and they were propagated in the WAM1321 E. coli K-12 Δlac Δmel strain to measure melR promoter activity. Cells were grown in minimal medium with fructose, as a carbon source, and 35 μg mL−1 tetracycline, as in the study by Samarasinghe et al. (2008), and the Miller (1972) method was used to quantify β-galactosidase expression. For the different melR promoter fusions studied here in our conditions in the absence of MelR, β-galactosidase activity levels range from 360 to 400 standard Miller units. To quantify repression by MelR, cells also carried pJW15, encoding melR or empty vector, pJW15ΔmelR, and 80 μg mL−1 ampicillin was included in the media, as described by Kahramanoglou et al. (2006). In experiments to measure effects due to MalI, cells also carried pACYC–malI, encoding malI or empty vector, pACYC-ΔHN (Lloyd et al.

, 2004; Delpy et al, 2008) and indicates that neurons require KC

, 2004; Delpy et al., 2008) and indicates that neurons require KCC2 at an early stage of maturation. KCC2 is co-expressed with β-tubulin III in the neural tube and neural crest cells, possibly reflecting an involvement in GABA-mediated regulation of neuronal migration (Bolteus & Bordey, 2004). Notably, it has recently been shown that functionally active KCC2 induces migratory arrest in cortical interneurons (Bortone & Polleux, 2009). However, the ion transport-independent structural role of KCC2 and the expression of functionally inactive KCC2 described in our study suggest a dual role for the transporter in neuronal migration.

Indeed, we found a reduced migration of a neural cell line transfected with both transport-active KCC2-FL and transport-inactive check details KCC2-ΔNTD, indicating an ion transport-independent effect on migration. In line with the results in vitro, KCC2-FL and KCC2-ΔNTD embryos displayed a perturbed neural crest migration and sometimes HSP tumor also smaller mandibles and enlarged olfactory pits at E9.5. This is consistent with the phenotypes

of transgenic embryos at later stages showing aberrant facial structures. Neural crest cells migrate from the neural tube to different regions in the body and develop into various structures such as the craniofacial bones, peripheral nervous system, cardiac outflow septum and endocrine glands (Bronner-Fraser, 1993; Inoue et al., 2004). The cause of death of KCC2-FL and KCC2-ΔNTD Amobarbital embryos between E13.5 and E15.5 has not been determined, but the whitish appearance indicates a lack of blood cells. Indeed, neural crest cells have been shown to contribute to the bone marrow where red blood cells are generated (Nagoshi et al., 2008). We observed reduced expression of β-tubulin III, doublecortin and PSA-NCAM in E9.5 transgenic embryos. The reduction in neuronal cells did not seem to be due to a change in proliferation

rate or apoptosis. A reduced differentiation could, however, be caused by a delay in radial migration. The pattern of PSA-NCAM expression displayed a higher proportion of positive cells in the ventricular and intermediate zones, indicating a perturbed radial migration in KCC2-FL and KCC2-ΔNTD embryos. As another study has reported that ectopic KCC2 expression by in utero electroporation at E17–18 does not affect radial migration in perinatal rats (Cancedda et al., 2007), the effect of KCC2 on migration might be age-specific. The reduction in neuronal cells corroborates a previous report showing that KCC2 overexpression reduces neuronal differentiation in zebrafish (Reynolds et al., 2008). However, the authors concluded that this reduction is caused by a negative shift in the GABA response as the use of KCC2-C568A did not produce similar effects. We did not observe any significant effects on neuronal differentiation with KCC2-C568A either, but there was a similar reduction in neuronal cells in KCC2-FL and KCC2-ΔNTD embryos.

, 2004; Delpy et al, 2008) and indicates that neurons require KC

, 2004; Delpy et al., 2008) and indicates that neurons require KCC2 at an early stage of maturation. KCC2 is co-expressed with β-tubulin III in the neural tube and neural crest cells, possibly reflecting an involvement in GABA-mediated regulation of neuronal migration (Bolteus & Bordey, 2004). Notably, it has recently been shown that functionally active KCC2 induces migratory arrest in cortical interneurons (Bortone & Polleux, 2009). However, the ion transport-independent structural role of KCC2 and the expression of functionally inactive KCC2 described in our study suggest a dual role for the transporter in neuronal migration.

Indeed, we found a reduced migration of a neural cell line transfected with both transport-active KCC2-FL and transport-inactive Ibrutinib datasheet KCC2-ΔNTD, indicating an ion transport-independent effect on migration. In line with the results in vitro, KCC2-FL and KCC2-ΔNTD embryos displayed a perturbed neural crest migration and sometimes AZD8055 cell line also smaller mandibles and enlarged olfactory pits at E9.5. This is consistent with the phenotypes

of transgenic embryos at later stages showing aberrant facial structures. Neural crest cells migrate from the neural tube to different regions in the body and develop into various structures such as the craniofacial bones, peripheral nervous system, cardiac outflow septum and endocrine glands (Bronner-Fraser, 1993; Inoue et al., 2004). The cause of death of KCC2-FL and KCC2-ΔNTD Protirelin embryos between E13.5 and E15.5 has not been determined, but the whitish appearance indicates a lack of blood cells. Indeed, neural crest cells have been shown to contribute to the bone marrow where red blood cells are generated (Nagoshi et al., 2008). We observed reduced expression of β-tubulin III, doublecortin and PSA-NCAM in E9.5 transgenic embryos. The reduction in neuronal cells did not seem to be due to a change in proliferation

rate or apoptosis. A reduced differentiation could, however, be caused by a delay in radial migration. The pattern of PSA-NCAM expression displayed a higher proportion of positive cells in the ventricular and intermediate zones, indicating a perturbed radial migration in KCC2-FL and KCC2-ΔNTD embryos. As another study has reported that ectopic KCC2 expression by in utero electroporation at E17–18 does not affect radial migration in perinatal rats (Cancedda et al., 2007), the effect of KCC2 on migration might be age-specific. The reduction in neuronal cells corroborates a previous report showing that KCC2 overexpression reduces neuronal differentiation in zebrafish (Reynolds et al., 2008). However, the authors concluded that this reduction is caused by a negative shift in the GABA response as the use of KCC2-C568A did not produce similar effects. We did not observe any significant effects on neuronal differentiation with KCC2-C568A either, but there was a similar reduction in neuronal cells in KCC2-FL and KCC2-ΔNTD embryos.

In PI-naïve patients in our study, the insertions persisted for l

In PI-naïve patients in our study, the insertions persisted for long periods in the absence of PI pressure. In one patient, the insertion persisted for more than 4 years,

with the virus diplaying a dramatic decrease in replicative capacity. Our results are in accordance with those of previous studies reporting that the presence of insertions decreased enzyme activity [8]. Conversely, Kim et al. used recombinant virus and reported an advantage in cell culture of virus with the insertion in the absence of PIs compared with virus without the insertion [7]. Regarding in-patients whose insert-mutated protease find more was selected under PI drug pressure, this occurred in a context of a multiresistant protease and following a long period of viral replication under Bortezomib molecular weight PIs. As described by Paolucci et al., the impact of the insertion on viral replication is difficult to predict,

depending on the nature of the inserted amino acids and the pattern of drug-resistance-associated mutations [11]. For example, a differential impact on the replication rate was found between a G and a TN insertion at codon 35, the former resulting in an enhancement and the latter in an inhibition of virus replication [11]. In our study, we did not find similar results as the E35ET and E35EG insertions displayed by virus from two PI-naïve patients resulted in the same dramatic decrease in replicative capacity, with no substantial impact on PI resistance level. In our study, one of the PI-naïve patients was successfully treated with lopinavir monotherapy, arguing for a retained susceptibility

to PI for this insert-containing virus. The absence of a decrease in viral susceptibility was confirmed by Kim et al., who found no significant change in the IC50 of IDV, SQV and NFV in the presence of an insertion; and by Paolucci et al., who used recombinant virus from patient-derived HIV sequences [7,11]. Conversely, Kozisek et al., who analysed mutated recombinant protease variants from two patients with or without insertions at positions 33 and 35, found an increased resistance to PIs [10]. Overall, protease insertions are not only observed in PI-treated patients but also in PI-naïve Janus kinase (JAK) patients. In PI-naïve patients, protease insertion virus can persist for a long time, exhibiting a decreased viral replicative capacity with no impact on resistance level. In PI-experienced patients, protease insertion virus may be selected in the context of other PI-resistance mutations after a long period of exposure to PIs with no specific impact on resistance level or replicative capacity. In addition, as in our study all PI-naïve patients who harboured virus with a protease insertion were infected with a non-B subtype, further studies on larger series of patients are needed to determine whether HIV subtype has an impact on the prevalence of protease insertions.

burnetii T4BSS RI is expressed as three operons This does not pr

burnetii T4BSS RI is expressed as three operons. This does not preclude the possibility that additional transcriptional regulation exists within these operons. Sequence data from the C. burnetii genome indicate that the T4BSS ORFs within each linkage group have little noncoding intervening Mitomycin C chemical structure sequences (Seshadri et al., 2003). Only icmW, icmV, icmT, dotD, icmQ, and dotP have >90 bp of noncoding sequence upstream and none have >262 bp. The compact nature of the C. burnetii T4BSS contrasts with that of the L. pneumophila system where the T4BSS has noncoding sequences upstream of transcriptional units that range from 91 to 400 bp (Gal-Mor et al., 2002). The utility of the mRNA carried within SCVs from one host cell infection

to the 3-MA mouse next is unknown. To determine when de novo synthesis of mRNA for C. burnetii T4BSS genes begins post infection, RT-PCR analysis was used on total RNA samples that were enriched for the C. burnetii RNA fraction (J.K. Morgan & E.I. Shaw, unpublished data) from infected Vero cells. Vero cells were inoculated with C. burnetii NMII (see Materials and methods) and RNA samples were collected at 8 hpi from +Rif and −Rif samples. Using RNA from −Rif samples as a template, RT-PCR produces amplicons representing full-length mRNA for icmT, icmV, and icmW by 8 hpi (Fig. 2). In contrast, amplification products are not produced from the +Rif RNA samples (Fig.

2). Together, these data indicate that by 8 hpi, the transcripts carried into the cell within SCVs had degraded and that de novo transcription was occurring for the three genes assayed. The use of a bacterial RNA synthesis inhibitor to demonstrate de novo RNA synthesis suggests that previous studies where C. burnetii T4BSS transcripts were detected by RT-PCR post infection (Shaw & Thompson, 2003, 2004; Zamboni et al., 2003; Zusman et al., 2003; Coleman et al., 2004) were likely detecting de novo synthesized mRNA. De novo synthesis of C. burnetii T4BSS dotA transcript by 8 hpi was previously implied using RT-qPCR (Coleman et al., 2004). Predictably, comparisons of +Rif

and −Rif samples harvested later during infection demonstrated that de novo synthesis of RNA continued when RT-PCR assays were performed (data not shown). Therefore, it is unlikely that carryover RNA within an SCV makes a substantial contribution in the translation of proteins during the early stages MRIP of C. burnetii infection of a host cell. To determine the temporal expression of C. burnetii T4BSS RI genes during the first 24 hpi, we used RT-qPCR to determine the relative amounts of icmX, icmW, icmV, dotA, dotB, and icmT  mRNA at 0, 8, 16, and 24 hpi. Figure 3 shows a graphical representation of the relative abundance of these transcripts as a function of time. These data points represent the relative fold ratio as calculated using the method (Livak & Schmittgen, 2001; Schmittgen & Livak, 2008) in which each gene transcript was normalized to itself at 0 hpi. RT-qPCR analysis (Fig.

Koike et al (2003) reported that the majority (77%) of fiber-ass

Koike et al. (2003) reported that the majority (77%) of fiber-associated bacterial community in the rumen had < 97% similarity with 16S rRNA gene sequences of known bacteria. These results indicate that there is limited knowledge about ruminal fibrolytic species and the possible involvement of uncultured bacteria in ruminal fiber digestion. Through phylogenetic analysis of the fiber-associated community in the rumen, several bacterial groups consisting only of uncultured bacteria R788 solubility dmso have been detected (Koike et al., 2003; Shinkai et al., 2010).

Among these uncultured groups, our research group has been focusing on unknown group 2 (U2) that belongs to the phylum Firmicutes (Koike et al., 2003, 2010; Koike & Kobayashi, 2009). Group U2 has been detected as a large phylogenetic group with > 200 clones showing more than 97% similarity to the 16S rRNA gene sequence. The population

size of U2 in the rumen was significantly higher in the solid fraction compared with liquid fraction. Strong fluorescent signals from U2 cells attached to plant fibers were observed by fluorescence in situ hybridization in the rumen (Koike et al., 2010). Therefore, U2 seems to occupy a significant metabolically active niche in the fiber-associated bacterial community in the rumen. In a previous study, we successfully isolated two strains belonging to U2 (strains R-25 and B76) and found that several of their hemicellulolytic enzyme activities were higher than those of xylanolytic Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens H17c (Koike et al., 2010). Group U2 was phylogenetically distant find more from representative rumen isolates and formed a cluster with nonruminal, fibrolytic strains (Fig. 1). However, U2 strains could not utilize insoluble substrates, such as cellulose or xylan, and grew only on soluble sugars (Koike & Kobayashi, 2009). On the basis of these ecological and physiological findings, U2 members are expected to play a supporting

role in the rumen plant fiber digestion. The involvement of nonfibrolytic bacteria in rumen fiber digestion has been observed in coculture studies (Dehority & Scott, Liothyronine Sodium 1967; Kudo et al., 1987; Osborne & Dehority, 1989; Fondevila & Dehority, 1996; Sawanon & Kobayashi, 2006; Sawanon et al., 2011). In these trials, digestion was enhanced by coexistence of fibrolytics and nonfibrolytics. Contribution of nonfibrolytics to fiber digestion is likely to be in an indirect manner, such as by hydrogen transfer or by cross-feeding of degradation and/or fermentation products derived from plant fiber (Flint, 1997). In this study, we investigated the role of a recently cultured bacterium belonging to group U2 in ruminal fiber digestion. Of the two strains from group U2, we used strain R-25 for coculture experiments with a representative ruminal fibrolytic bacterium, Fibrobacter succinogenes S85.

Alexander’s Law (AL) states that slow-phase velocity

Alexander’s Law (AL) states that slow-phase velocity BAY 57-1293 of SN is higher when looking in the direction of fast-phases of nystagmus and lower in the slow-phase direction. Earlier explanations for AL predict that during SN, slow-phase eye velocity is a linear function of eye position, increasing linearly as eye deviates towards the fast-phase direction. Recent observations, however, show that this is often not the case; eye velocity does not vary linearly with eye position. Such new findings necessitate a re-evaluation of our understanding of AL. As AL

may be an adaptive response of the vestibular system to peripheral lesions, understanding its mechanism could shed light on early adaptation strategies of the brain. Here, we propose a physiologically plausible mechanism for AL that explains recent experimental data. We use a dynamic control system model to simulate this mechanism and make testable predictions. This mechanism is based on the known effects of unilateral vestibular deficit on the response of the ipsi- and contralesional

vestibular nuclei (VN) of the brainstem. This hypothesis is based on the silencing of the majority of ipsilesional VN units, which creates an asymmetry between the responses of the ipsi- PD-0332991 cell line and contralesional VN. Unlike former explanations, the new hypothesis does not rely on lesion detection strategies or signals originating in higher brain structures. The proposed model demonstrates possible consequences of acute peripheral deficits for the function of the velocity-to-position neural integrator of the ocular motor system and the vestibulo-ocular reflex. “
“Increasing evidence supports the involvement of inflammatory and immune processes in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). MicroRNAs (miRNA) represent small regulatory RNA molecules that have been shown to act as negative regulators of gene expression controlling different biological processes, including immune-system

homeostasis and function. We investigated the expression and cellular distribution of miRNA-146a (miR-146a) Reverse transcriptase in a rat model of TLE as well as in human TLE. miR-146a analysis in rat hippocampus was performed by polymerase chain reaction and immunocytochemistry at 1 week and 3–4 months after induction of status epilepticus (SE). Prominent upregulation of miR-146a activation was evident at 1 week after SE and persisted in the chronic phase. The miR-146a expression was confirmed to be present in reactive astrocytes. In human TLE with hippocampal sclerosis, increased astroglial expression of miR-146a was observed mainly in regions where neuronal cell loss and reactive gliosis occurred. The increased and persistent expression of miR-146a in reactive astrocytes supports the possible involvement of miRNAs in the modulation of the astroglial inflammatory response occurring in TLE and provides a target for future studies aimed at developing strategies against pro-epileptogenic inflammatory signalling.

The second lysate was incubated with mock Dynabeads as a negative

The second lysate was incubated with mock Dynabeads as a negative control. Then, the lysate was removed, and the beads were washed twice with lysis buffer, twice with 1 mL of wash

buffer (100 mM Tris-HCl pH 8.0, 250 mM LiCl, 0.5% NP-40, 1 mM EDTA, and 0.5% sodium deoxycholate), and once with 1 mL of TE buffer (10 mM Tris-HCl and 1 mM EDTA, pH 8.0). The beads were incubated with 250 µL of TE plus 1% SDS for 10 min at 65 °C to elute DNA. The aspirated DNA solution was incubated at 65 °C overnight to reverse the cross-linking. The immunoprecipitated DNA and the input control DNA were treated with proteinase K, and precipitated with ethanol after proteins were removed with phenol–chloroform. Thus, purified DNA was dissolved in 30 µL of TE. The DNA sample (1 µL) was subsequently subjected to PCR in a total volume of 20 µL using gene-specific Navitoclax order primers (Supporting Information, Table S1). Preliminary reactions were performed to determine the optimal conditions to assure the linear amplification of each gene. In general,

PCR was carried out with 28 cycles of 94 °C for 15 s, 54 °C for 15 s, and 72 °C for 10 s with Ex Taq DNA polymerase (Takara Bio). PCR products (50~60 bp) were electrophoresed on an 8% polyacrylamide gel, stained with ethidium bromide, and photographed. The intensities of the bands in digitized images were quantified using the image j (1.42q) program, and the amounts of immunoprecipitated DNA were determined relative to the input DNA. Individual ChIP assays were repeated at least Quizartinib twice to confirm the reproducibility of the PCR-based experiment. Histidine-tagged Pdc2p(1–581) was expressed in bacterial cells and purified as described previously (Nosaka et al., 2005). The digoxigenin (DIG) gel shift kit (second generation; Roche Applied Science) was used for protein-DNA-binding assays. The oligonucleotide sequences used in this study are listed in Table S2. The

double-stranded DNA probe was prepared by heating at 95 °C for 5 min MTMR9 and subsequent slow cooling to 65 °C. Then, the annealed fragment was isolated from a 5% polyacrylamide gel, and labeled by terminal transferase with DIG-11-ddUTP. The labeled probe (32 fmol) was incubated for 30 min at 25 °C with the recombinant Pdc2p(1–581) (2.5 µg) in 20 µL of EMSA buffer (20 mM HEPES pH 7.6, 30 mM KCl, 10 mM (NH4)2SO4, 1 mM EDTA, 1mM dithiothreitol, and 1% Tween 20) containing 1 µg of double-stranded poly(dI-dC), 1 µg of poly l-lysine, and 20 µg of BSA. The mixture was separated on an 8% polyacrylamide gel in 0.25× TBE and transferred to a nylon membrane (Biodyne B/Plus; Pall Gelman Laboratory) in 0.5× TBE using an electro-blotting system (Trans-blot SD Cell; Bio-Rad). Chemiluminescence of DIG-labeled DNA-protein complexes with anti-DIG-AP and CSPD on the nylon membranes was detected by an image analyzer (ImageQuant LAS 4000mini; GE Healthcare).

For example, the synapses supplied by fast-spiking PV-immunoposit

For example, the synapses supplied by fast-spiking PV-immunopositive basket cells, in neocortex (Ali & Thomson, 2008) and hippocampus (Pawelzik et al., 1999; Thomson et al., 2000), are extremely sensitive to the α1-selective benzodiazepine site ligand Zolpidem. They are insensitive to zinc and to IAα5 (an α5-subunit-selective partial inverse agonist: Chambers

et al., 2004; Street et al., 2004) and are partially blocked by the broad spectrum inverse agonist flumazenil. This benzodiazepine type 1 (BZ1) pharmacological profile indicates mediation by α1βγ2 receptors (Fig. 1). In contrast, the neighbouring synapses supplied by CCK (cholecystokinin)-immunopositive basket cells are much less sensitive selleckchem to Zolpidem, but are also insensitive to zinc and IAα5. This pharmacological profile is typical of BZ2 receptors. These CCK basket cells therefore act through α2/3-subunit-containing GABAARs on pyramidal cells (later confirmed with immunocytochemistry at the ultrastructural level: Nyiri et al., 2001). It is unlikely that many of these receptors include α1- as well as α2/3-subunits, as when α1 and α2/α3 are included in the same receptor, α1-benzodiazepine site (BZ1) pharmacology dominates (e.g. Araujo et al., 1996). It is, however, possible that some of the receptors displaying

α1 pharmacology at PV basket cell synapses also contain an α2 or α3 subunit. We still do not know whether synaptic receptors can contain two different α-subints, or indeed two different β-subunits. It is, however,

clear that the inputs RG-7388 chemical structure provided by two major subclasses of basket cells to the soma of the same pyramidal cell are mediated by GABAARs containing different α-subunits and displaying different pharmacology, though both contain Fossariinae a γ2- and two β2/3-subunits. Chandelier, or axo-axonic, cells also innervate synapses rich in α2-subunits (Nusser et al., 1996). Finally, some dendritic GABAergic synapses, those supplied by CA1 bistratifed cells (Pawelzik et al., 1999; Thomson et al., 2000) and those supplied by bitufted, dendrite-preferring cortical interneurones (including somatostatin-immunopositive Martinotti cells: Ali & Thomson, 2008) have a BZ3 pharmacological profile indicating that they are mediated by α5-subunit-containing GABAARs. These synapses are insensitive to Zolpidem, but enhanced by Diazepam and partially blocked by zinc, IAα5 and flumazenil. These receptors may include an α1-subunit, as in this combination α5-benzodiazepine site (BZ3) pharmacology dominates. The postsynaptic location of α5-subunits has been confirmed immunocytochemically at the ultrastructural level (Serwanski et al., 2006; also Fig. 1). The existence of synaptic α5-subunit-containing GABAARs has been controversial, but the evidence in favour of a predominately extrasynaptic site for these receptors is largely circumstantial. The failure of single-electrode experiments to find evidence for synaptic α5-subunit-containing GABAARs is, perhaps, not surprising.