Subcellular Localization and Characterization of Vasopressin Binding Sites in the Ventral Septal Area, Lateral Septum, and Hippocampus of the Rat Brain

[Arg8]-Vasopressin (AVP) has been shown to exert characteristic central physiological actions in the ventral septal area of the rat brain. This study reports the characterization of receptors for AVP in synaptic plasma membranes prepared from the ventral septal area, the lateral septum, and the hippocampus. Binding of [3H]AVP was temperature and time dependent, linearly related to protein concentration, saturable, and specific. Scatchard plot analysis suggested the presence of a population of binding sites in the three brain areas with dissociation constants and maximal binding capacities, respectively, of 1.06 +/- 0.39 nM and 24.0 +/- 7.01 fmol/mg of protein (mean +/- SEM; n = 3 for the ventral septal area, 0.92 +/- 0.13 nM and 47.0 +/- 4.96 fmol/mg of protein (n = 3) for the lateral septum, and 0.91 +/- 0.14 nM and 25 +/- 5.02 fmol/mg of protein (n = 3) for the hippocampus. In all three brain regions, the rank order of potencies of several vasopressin analogs, unrelated peptides, and other compounds for competitive displacement of ligand indicated a receptor with properties resembling those of the V1-like receptor for AVP. These data document the presence of a high-affinity, V1-like vasopressin receptor in the rat ventral septal area for which the pharmacological properties are similar to those previously reported in physiological studies.     

Hepatic alpha-adrenergic receptors. Identification and subcellular localization using [3H]dihydroergocryptine.

Recently, several workers have shown that adrenergic control of hepatic carbohydrate metabolism has the characteristics of an alpha-receptor-mediated process. Using the rat liver membrane preparation of Neville (Neville, D. (1968) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 154, 540-552), alpha-adrenergic receptors have been identified using the ligand [3H]dihydroergocryptine. The receptors are saturable and of high affinity. Scatchard analysis yields a KD of 1.8 nM with 1.7 +/- 0.55 pmol of sites/mg of protein. Competition of dihydroergocryptine binding with various pharmacologic agents yields the typical (alpha-adrenergic potency series: (-)-epinephrine greater than (-)-norepinephrine greater than (-)-isoproterenol. (-)-Isomers are more potent than (+)-isomers. The alpha-blocker phentolamine is 3.4 orders of magnitude more potent than the beta-blocker propranolol. To determine subcellular localization of alpha-adrenergic receptors, livers were fractionated into a crude homogenate, a 1500 X g pellet, and the purified membrane preparation used previously for binding. Specific dihydroergocryptine binding, ouabain-inhibitable (Na,K)-ATPase, and F--stimulated adenylate cyclase activities, were followed in these fractions. Specific binding was enriched, relative to that in the crude homogenate, 2.88-fold in the pellet and 6.28-fold in the membranes. Similarly, (Na,K)-ATPase acticity was enriched 2.6-fold in the pellet and 7.1-fold in the membranes while adenylate cyclase activity was enriched 2.9-fold in the pellet and 3.5-fold in the membranes. It is concluded that hepatic alpha-adrenergic receptors are likely concentrated in the plasma membranes.     

Effect of vasopressin administration and deficiency upon 3H-AVP binding sites in the CNS and periphery during development.

Arginine8-vasopressin (AVP, 40 micrograms/100 g b.wt., SC) was administered to male Long-Evans (LE) pups from day 1 to 7 of life and the pups were sacrificed on day 8 or 60. 3H-AVP binding was performed on membranes prepared from the liver, kidney, and septum. No significant changes were observed in the kidney or septum of animals 8 or 60 days old. However, the chronic AVP treatment did result in a significant increase in the density of 3H-AVP binding sites in the liver when compared to control day 8 pups (control 44 +/- 2 vs. AVP 56 +/- 3 fmol/mg protein), with no change in affinity. This effect was maintained into adulthood, as the day 60 AVP-treated LE rats also showed a significant increase in liver 3H-AVP binding sites compared to control (control 186 +/- 9 vs. AVP 239 +/- 14 fmol/mg protein), with no change in affinity. A comparison of 3H-AVP binding sites in 8-day-old LE, heterozygous Brattleboro (HET-BB), and homozygous Brattleboro rats (HOM-BB) was performed to assess the effect of complete (HOM-BB) and partial (HET-BB) VP deficiency on binding sites in the CNS and periphery. The liver again was the only tissue in which a change in 3H-AVP binding characteristics was noted. The HOM-BB rat (Bmax 144 +/- 6 fmol/mg protein) displayed a significant increase in AVP binding sites from the LE rat (Bmax 100 +/- 7 fmol/mg protein), while the 3H-AVP binding sites in the HET-BB rat liver (Bmax 69.8 +/- 9 fmol/mg protein) were significantly lower than LE rats. Thus hepatic AVP receptors appear most sensitive to the presence or absence of vasopressin during the early postnatal period.     

Solubilization of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor by zwitterionic detergent from rat brain cortex

The muscarinic acetylcholine receptor was solubilized from rat brain cortex by zwitterionic detergent 3-[(3-chloramidopropyl) dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate (CHAPS). About 15% of the binding activity was solubilized and 40% of the activity was destroyed by the detergent. Binding of the muscarinic antagonist [³H]-N-methyl-4-piperidyl benzilate (4NMPB) was saturable. Scatchard analysis revealed a single population of binding sites with K_D value of 0.7 nM and a B_max value of 340 fmoles/mg protein. The homogenate and the CHAPS treated pellet and soluble receptors showed similar affinity for the agonists oxotremorine and carbamylcholine and for the antagonists QNB and atropine. The dissociation of 4NMPB from the soluble receptors appears slightly slower than from the membrane bound receptors.     

High affinity binding of [H]neurotensin to rat uterus

[³H]Neurotensin (NT) was found to bind specifically and with high affinity to crude membranes prepared from rat uterus. Scatchard analysis of saturation binding studies indicated that [³H]NT apparently binds to two sites (high affinity Kd 0.5 nM; low affinity Kd 9 nM) with the density of high affinity sites (41 fmoles/mg prot.) being about one-third that of the low affinity sites (100 fmoles/mg prot.). In competition studies, NT and various fragments inhibited [³H]NT binding with the following potencies (IC₅₀): NT 8–13 (0.4 nM), NT 1–13 (4 nM), NT 9–13 (130 nM), NT 1–11, NT 1–8 (>100 μM). Quantitatively similar results were obtained using brain tissue. These findings raise the possibility of a role for NT in uterine function.     

Human platelet vasopressin receptors

Specific saturable binding of 125I-arginine-vasopressin to human platelets is described. For ten normal volunteers the mean (+/- S.D.) KD is 5.6 nM (+/- 2.1) and the mean (+/- S.D.) Bmax is 115 fmoles/mg protein (+/- 30). Association studies indicate that equilibrium is reached after 90 minutes on ice. Pharmacological inhibition studies with analogues indicate that the platelet receptor is very similar to the kidney medulla receptor. The function of the receptor may involve serotonin release and platelet aggregation. Vasopressin binding to platelets should provide a readily means of assessing vasopressin receptor function in man.     

Two classes of arginine vasopressin binding sites on rat brain membranes

Specific binding sites for arginine vasopressin (AVP) were demonstrated on rat brain membranes using [³H]AVP of high specific activity. At pH 7.4 in the presence of 5 mM MgCl₂, one class of sites was measured with aK _D of 0.56 nM and aB _max of 4.3 fmol/mg protein. At pH 8.0 in the presence of MgCl₂, two distinct sites were observed, havingK _D values of 0.42 and 13 nM andB _max values of 5.6 and 68 fmol/mg protein, respectively, and similar results were obtained at pH 7.4 after repeatedly freezing and thawing the membranes. Binding increased with pH, apparently representing increased occupancy of the high capacity, lower affinity site. Binding to the lower affinity site was also enhanced by freezing and thawing membranes, or by adding 5 mM NiCl₂ or 10 M ZnCl₂ to the incubation medium, whereas binding to the high affinity site was dependent on the addition of Mg. AVP was over 35 times more active in displacing 0.4 nM AVP than oxytocin or arginine-vasotocin, and 10,000 times more active than somatostatin. A number of other peptides had no effect on [³H]AVP binding at concentrations up to 10^–5 M. Autoradiography and regional dissection studies revealed a marked concentration of high affinity AVP-binding sites in the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus, and Mg significantly enhanced the binding in these regions.     

Central mu, delta, and kappa opioid binding sites, and brain and pituitary beta-endorphin and met-enkephalin in genetically obese (ob/ob) and lean mice

The equilibrium dissociation constants and maximal binding capacities of 3H-dihydromorphine (DHM), 3H-D-Ala2-D-leu3-enkephalin (DADL), and 3H-dynorphin A(1-8) for their respective mu, delta, and kappa opiate binding sites were studied in brain membrane preparations from lean and genetically obese-hyperglycaemic (Aston ob/ob) mice. The concentration of kappa binding sites was 2.7 fold higher in obese compared with lean mouse brain (231 +/- 44.6 versus 83.8 +/- 10.3 fmoles 3H-dynorphin/mg protein respectively, mean +/- SEM). The concentration of delta binding sites in obese was 1.6 fold that in lean mouse brain (94.5 +/- 8.6 versus 59.5 +/- 6.5 fmoles 3H-DADL/mg protein). In contrast, the concentration of brain mu receptors was 40% lower in obese compared with lean mice (20.8 +/- 2.19 and 34.8 +/- 3.1 fmoles 3H-DHM/mg protein respectively). Binding affinities of delta and kappa sites for their respective ligands were not significantly different in lean v. obese mice. However, for mu sites, lean mouse binding data showed two affinities, one was not significantly different from obese (0.35 nM) the second was lower (1.18 nM) for DHM. Increases of approximately 5 fold and 3 fold in the brain content of beta-endorphin and met-enkephalin respectively, and no differences in brain dynorphin levels, were demonstrated in obese mice compared with lean controls. In obese mice, pituitary beta-endorphin content was 9 fold higher, met-enkephalin 4 fold higher and dynorphin 12 fold higher than in lean mice. The striking differences in opioid binding-site characteristics and in endogenous opioid peptide levels in obese compared with lean mice may contribute to the hyperphagia and, directly or indirectly, to the development of hyperglycaemia and hyperinsulinaemia in obese mice.     

Identification of a prostacyclin receptor coupled to the adenylate cyclase system via a stimulatory GTP-binding protein in mouse mastocytoma P-815 cells.

A stable analogue of prostacyclin, iloprost, specifically bound to 30,000 x g pellet (the membrane fraction) prepared from mouse mastocytoma P-815 cells. The binding was dependent on time, temperature and pH, and absolutely required a divalent cation. The equilibrium dissociation constant and the maximal concentration of the binding site as determined by Scatchard plot analysis were 10.4 nM and 1.12 pmol/mg of protein, respectively. The Hill coefficient was 1.0, indicating a single entity of binding site and no cooperativity. The binding site was highly specific for iloprost among PGs tested (iloprost much greater than PGE1 greater than carbacyclin greater than PGE2). In contrast, the membrane fraction had the binding site specific for PGE2 and PGE1, which was distinct from the prostacyclin receptor. The dissociation of bound [3H]iloprost from the membrane fraction was specifically enhanced by guanine nucleotides. Furthermore, iloprost dose-dependently enhanced the activity of adenylate cyclase in a GTP-dependent manner. These results indicate that a specific prostacyclin receptor is coupled to the adenylate cyclase system via a stimulatory GTP-binding protein in mastocytoma cells.     

Characterization of Two Classes of Opioid Binding Sites in Drosophila melanogaster Head Membranes

Opioid receptors have been characterized in Drosophila neural tissue. [3H]Etorphine (universal opioid ligand) bound stereospecifically, saturably, and with high affinity (KD = 8.8 +/- 1.7 nM; Bmax = 2.3 +/- 0.2 pmol/mg of protein) to Drosophila head membranes. Binding analyses with more specific ligands showed the presence of two distinct opioid sites in this tissue. One site was labeled by [3H]dihydromorphine ([3H]DHM), a mu-selective ligand: KD = 150 +/- 34 nM; Bmax = 3.0 +/- 0.6 pmol/mg of protein. Trypsin or heat treatment (100 degrees C for 15 min) of the Drosophila extract reduced specific [3H]DHM binding by greater than 80%. The rank order of potency of drugs at this site was levorphanol greater than DHM greater than normorphine greater than naloxone much greater than dextrorphan; the mu-specific peptide [D-Ala2,Gly-ol5]-enkephalin and delta-, kappa-, and sigma-ligands were inactive at this site. The other site was labeled by (-)-[3H]ethylketocyclazocine ((-)-[3H]EKC), a kappa-opioid, which bound stereospecifically, saturably, and with relatively high affinity to an apparent single class of receptors (KD = 212 +/- 25 nM; Bmax = 1.9 +/- 0.2 pmol/mg of protein). (-)-[3H]EKC binding could be displaced by kappa-opioids but not by mu-, delta-, or sigma-opioids or by the kappa-peptide dynorphin. Specific binding constituted approximately 70% of total binding at 1 nM and approximately 50% at 800 nM for all three radioligands ([3H]etorphine, [3H]EKC, and [3H]DHM). Specific binding of the delta-ligands [3H][D-Ala2,D-Leu5]-enkephalin and [3H][D-Pen2,D-Pen5]-enkephalin was undetectable in this preparation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Solubilization and purification of the Ni-stimulated arginine-vasopressin binding site of rat brain membranes

Arginine vasopressin binding sites on rat brain membranes were solubilized and purified by affinity chromatography. Membrane protein solubilized with CHAPS bound arginine vasopressin (AVP) only in the presence of divalent cations. Specific binding to the solubilized tissue was maximally stimulated by Ni²⁺, and markedly stimulated by Co²⁺ (30% of maximal binding with Ni²⁺), Zn²⁺ (18%), and Fe²⁺ (11%), parallel to the effects of these ions on the binding of AVP to neural membranes. Binding to solubilized tissue was not stimulated by Mg²⁺, Cu²⁺, Mn²⁺, or Ca²⁺. In the presence of Ni²⁺, binding of AVP to solubilized tissue was reversible, and the dissociation constant (10.5 nM), pH optimum, and time course were virtually identical to those of the membrane-bound AVP binding site. Purification of solubilized AVP-binding proteins by affinity chromatography on AVP-sepharose followed by gel electrophoresis yielded a major band of 55 kdalton molecular weight when purified in the presence of 5 mM Mg²⁺, or a major band of 62 kdaltons when purified in the presence of 1–5 mM Ni²⁺ or 10 M Zn²⁺. By means of a new binding assay involving conjugation of the 62 kdalton fraction to brain membranes, the extent of purification of AVP binding activity was 150-fold in the presence of Ni²⁺. We suggest that the 62 kdalton protein is a component of the Ni-stimulated AVP binding site.     

Vasopressin and oxytocin receptors on plasma membranes from rat mammary gland. Demonstration of vasopressin receptors by stimulation of inositol phosphate formation, and oxytocin receptors by binding of a specific 125I-labeled oxytocin antagonist, d(CH2)5(1)[Tyr(Me)2, Thr4,Tyr-NH2(9)]OVT

The addition of oxytocin to minces of rat mammary gland preincubated with (3H)myo-inositol stimulated the formation of inositol phosphate (IP) in both lactating and regressed glands. Stimulation was about 4 times greater in regressed tissue, consistent with an oxytocin effect on myoepithelial cells, which are enriched relative to epithelial cells during regression. The stimulation of IP formation was agonist specific, as shown with several oxytocin analogs. Arginine vasopressin (AVP), however, was more than twice as potent as oxytocin in stimulating IP formation in regressed tissue. Both V1- and V2-selective AVP receptor antagonists inhibited the stimulation of IP formation by oxytocin. The V1-selective antagonist was about 10 times more inhibitory than the V2-selective antagonist. [3H]AVP was bound to plasma membranes from the mammary gland of the lactating rat with an apparent Kd of about 0.7 nM and Bmax of 54.6 fmol/mg protein. These values were comparable with those found for AVP receptors of kidney plasma membranes. Our results suggest that the stimulation of IP formation in rat mammary gland by oxytocin occurs through occupancy of AVP, and not oxytocin, receptor sites. A second aspect of these studies was to determine if a recently developed iodinated antagonist of oxytocin-induced uterine contractions could be used as a specific probe for oxytocin receptors in the rat mammary gland. Under steady state conditions, [125I]d(CH2)5(1)[Tyr(Me)2,Thr4,Tyr-NH2(9)]OVT was bound to a single class of independent binding sites in mammary gland plasma membrane from lactating rats with an apparent Kd of 65 pM and Bmax of 225 fmol/mg protein. Noniodinated antagonist had an affinity about 150 times less than the monoiodinated form. The affinity of binding sites for AVP was 10 times greater than the noniodinated antagonist and 2.4 times greater than oxytocin. In view of the presence of AVP receptors in mammary tissue, these findings suggested that the iodinated antagonist binds to AVP receptors. However, comparison of the binding of iodinated antagonist to plasma membranes from the lactating mammary gland with kidney medulla and liver, target sites for AVP, showed that binding was specific for the mammary gland and hence oxytocin receptors. The concentration of oxytocin receptors in mammary gland, as determined by [125I]d(CH2)5(1)[Tyr(Me)2,Thr4,Tyr-NH2(9)]OVT binding, was 4 times greater than the concentration of high-affinity AVP receptors, as determined by [3H]AVP binding.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Specific arginine vasopressin binding in particulate membrane from rat aorta

Arginine vasopressin (AVP) has been shown to have direct pressor effects on vascular smooth muscle. We have characterized a specific binding site for AVP in rat aorta membranes. We identified a specific binding site for AVP with a Kd of 1.6 nM and Bmax of 48 pM/mg protein. The time course, pH dependence, and temperature dependence were consistent with those found for other peptide receptors. Analogues of AVP competed with tritium labelled AVP for binding to the aortic vascular receptor in direct proportion to their pressor activities.     

Enhanced binding of 3H-arginine8-vasopressin in the Brattleboro rat

Specific binding sites for 3[H]-arginine8-vasopressin (AVP) were characterized using membrane preparations of liver, renal medulla and brain (septal) tissue of heterozygous (HE) and homozygous (HO) Brattleboro (BB) rats. Measurement of binding sites indicated that significantly greater numbers of AVP receptors are present in the liver and septum of HO-BB rats. Similar numbers of AVP receptors were present in renal medullary tissue from HO-BB and HE-BB rats. Higher equilibrium dissociation constants were measured in the HO-BB septal tissue indicating a lower affinity of the brain receptor for 3[H]-AVP than in heterozygotes. No significant differences in AVP receptor affinity were noted in liver or kidney tissue. It is concluded that "up-regulation" of AVP receptor number and, in the brain, alterations in AVP receptor affinity may occur in the absence of endogenous AVP.     

[3H]Vasopressin binding to rat hippocampal synaptic plasma membrane: Kinetic and pharmacological characterization

Characterization of specific vasopressin binding sites to rat hippocampal membranes has been assayed using tritiated lysine-vasopressin labelled on the tyrosyl residue. At 30°C specific [³H]vasopressin binding was saturable. The estimated equilibrium dissociation constant was 7.1 nM, the mean maximal binding capacity was 78 fmol/mg protein. Arginine-vasopressin has a high affinity (K_d = 2.8 nM) and dDAVP has a low affinity (K_d = 249 nM) for hippocampal synaptic membranes. (OH)AVP and Phe²Orn⁸VT are at least as active as AVP in inhibiting [³H]vasopressin binding. Adenylate cyclase was activated by VIP and inhibited by PIA, but not affected by lysine-vasopressin.     

Solubilization of human platelet vasopressin receptors

The human platelet membrane receptor for vasopressin (AVP) has been solubilized with the cholic acid derivative detergent 3-( [3-cholamidopropyl)-dimethylammonio]-1-propane sulfonate. Rapid and simple separation of free tritiated AVP ( [3H]AVP) from the solubilized receptor-hormone complex was done by filtration through polyethylenimine-treated filters. [3H]AVP binds to this soluble receptor with an equilibrium dissociation constant of 11.03 +/- 1.86 nM and a maximal number of binding sites = 288 +/- 66 fmol/mg protein while the corresponding values of the membrane-bound receptor are 1.62 +/- 0.21 nM and 237 +/- 38 fmol/mg of protein, respectively. The Ki value for native AVP derived from competition experiments is 11.02 +/- 2.05 nM for the soluble receptor. Competition experiments with specific vascular and renal antagonists confirm that the solubilized receptor belongs to the V1-vascular subtype.     

Characterization of an 11,000-dalton beta-bungarotoxin: binding and enzyme activity on rat brain synaptosomal membranes

The binding and phospholipase A2 activity of an 11,000-dalton beta-bungarotoxin, isolated from Bungarus multicincutus venom, have been characterized using rat brain subcellular fractions as substrates. 125I-labeled beta-bungarotoxin binds rapidly (k = 0.14 min-1 and 0.11 min-1), saturably (Vmax = 130.1 +/- 5.0 fmoles/mg and 128.2 +/- 7.1) fmoles/mg), and with high affinity (apparent Kd = 0.8 +/- 0.1 nM and 0.7 +/- 0.1 nM) to rat brain mitochondria and synaptosomal membranes, respectively, but not to myelin. The binding to synaptosomal membranes is inhibited by divalent cations and by pretreatment with trypsin. The binding results suggest that the toxin binds to specific protein receptor sites on presynpatic membranes. The 11,000-dalton toxin rapidly hydrolyzes synaptosomal membrane phospholipids to lysophosphatides and manifests relative substrate specificity in the order phosphatidyl ethanolamine greater than phosphatidyl choline greater than phosphatidyl serine. These results indicate that the 11,000-dalton beta-bungarotoxin is a phospholipase A2 and can use presynaptic membrane phospholipids as substrates. The binding, phospholipase activity and other biological properties of the 11,000-dalton toxin are contrasted with those of the beta-bungarotoxin found in highest concentration in the venom (the 22,000-dalton beta-bungarotoxin), and the two toxins are shown to have qualitatively similar properties. Finally the results are shown to support the hypothesis that beta-bungarotoxins act in a two-step fashion to inhibit transmitter release: first, by binding to a protein receptor site on the presynatic membrane associated with Ca2+ entry, and second, by perturbing through enzymatic hydrolyses the phospholipid matrix of the membrane and thereby causing an increase in passive Ca2+ permeability.     

Detergent solubilization of human neutrophil leukotriene B4 receptors

Specific leukotriene B4 (LTB4) receptors in human neutrophils were solubilized by treatment of "receptor fraction" membranes with the zwitterionic detergent (3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)-dimethylammonio]1-propane sulfonate (CHAPS). The soluble receptors were assayed by polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation coupled with Millipore filtration. The solubilized receptors retained all of the characteristics of the receptor sites in intact neutrophils. The binding of LTB4 was rapid, reversible and stereospecific. Mathematical modeling analysis revealed biphasic binding of [3H] LTB4 indicating two classes of binding sites. The high affinity binding site had a dissociation constant of 1.93 nM and Bmax of 281 fmoles/mg protein; the low affinity binding site had a dissociation constant of 78.92 nM and Bmax of 2522 fmoles/mg protein. Competitive binding experiments with structural analogs of LTB4 demonstrate that the interaction between LTB4 and its binding site is stereospecific and correlates with the relative biological activity of the analogs. These data suggest that it may be possible to purify the LTB4 receptor from human neutrophil membranes.     

Temperature dependence and GABA modulation of [3H]triazolam binding in the rat brain

The hypnotic triazolam (TZ), a triazolobenzodiazepine displays a short physiological half life and has been used for the treatment of insomnia related to anxiety states. Our major objectives were the direct measurement of the temperature dependence and the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) effect of [3H]TZ binding in the rat brain. Saturation studies showed a shift to lower affinity with increasing temperatures (Kd = 0.27 +/- 08 nM at 0 degree C; Kd = 1.96 +/- 0.85 nM at 37 degrees C) while the Bmax values remained unchanged (1220 +/- 176 fmoles/mg protein at 0 degree C and 1160 +/- 383 fmoles/mg protein at 37 degrees C). Saturation studies of [3H]TZ binding in the presence or absence of GABA (100 microM) showed a GABA-shift. At 0 degrees C the Kd values were (Kd = 0.24 +/- 0.03 nM/-GABA; Kd = 0.16 +/- 0.04/+GABA) and at 37 degrees C the Kd values were (Kd = 1.84 +/- 0.44 nM/-GABA; Kd = 0.95 +/- 0.29 nM/+GABA). In contrast to reported literature, our findings show that TZ interacts with benzodiazepine receptors with a temperature dependence and GABA-shift consistent with predicted behavior for benzodiazepine agonists.