Figure 1.

The dose-dependent potentiation of the EC₂₀ GABA response by thymol at recombinant human GABA_A receptors with the subunit combinations α1β1γ2s, α6β3γ2s and α1β3γ2s. The GABA response was potentiated about equally by thymol at all the three receptors. Each data point is a mean value±one s.e.m. (n=3–6). Recordings were obtained from Xenopus oocytes, voltage-clamped at −60 mV. The example trace was recorded from a single α1β3γ2s-expressing cell, and shows 100 μM thymol-induced potentiation of the control GABA current. The trace also illustrates how, at concentrations of 100 μM and above, thymol induces GABA receptor-mediated currents when applied alone during the 40 s preincubation time.