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A mouse mutant strain highly resistant to methyl β-carboline-3-carboxylate-induced seizures

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Abstract

The convulsant properties of methyl β-carboline-3-carboxylate (β-CCM) were evaluated in the TaT-fm/GncTa+/+Tfm strain carrying the tabby coat color (Ta) and/or the testicular feminization (Tfm) gene. When injected intraperitoneally within a 5–60 mg/kg dose range, β-CCM-induced convulsions in less than 25% of the mice, thus providing evidence for a high resistance of this strain, as compared to classical strains of mice. However, this strain responds normally to the convulsant pentylenetetrazol (PTZ), suggesting a specific resistance to β-CCM. Both the Ta gene and the TaTfm/Gnc genetic background were involved in the high resistance to β-CCM. In addition, concentrations of neurosteroids and benzodiazepine binding, both modulating GABAA receptor efficacy, have been measured in order to elucidate the biological mechanisms of drug resistance.

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Clément, Y., Launay, JM., Bondoux, D. et al. A mouse mutant strain highly resistant to methyl β-carboline-3-carboxylate-induced seizures. Exp Brain Res 110, 28–35 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00241371

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00241371

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