Review
Which GABAA-receptor subtypes really occur in the brain?

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0166-2236(96)80023-3Get rights and content

Abstract

GABAA receptors are a heterogeneous family of ligand-gated ion channels responsible for mediating inhibitory neurotransmission in the CNS. Since the identification of mammalian cDNAs encoding 13 GABAA-receptor subunits, the composition of native receptor molecules and their localization in the brain has been an area of intense study. We conclude that the number of major subtypes is probably less than ten but their physiological roles have yet to be clearly defined and this represents the next step in GABAA-receptor research.

References (48)

  • M.J. Duggan et al.

    J. Biol. Chem.

    (1990)
  • D. Benke

    J. Biol. Chem.

    (1991)
  • B. Mossier

    J. Biol. Chem.

    (1994)
  • M. Togel

    J. Biol. Chem.

    (1994)
  • R.M. McKernan

    Neuron

    (1991)
  • K. Quirk

    J. Biol. Chem.

    (1994)
  • S. Mertens et al.

    J. Biol. Chem.

    (1993)
  • S. Pollard et al.

    J. Biol. Chem.

    (1995)
  • D. Benke

    J. Biol. Chem.

    (1994)
  • K. Quirk

    Eur. J. Pharmacol.

    (1995)
  • B.D. Shivers

    Neuron

    (1989)
  • S. Mertens et al.

    J. Biol. Chem.

    (1993)
  • E. Persohn et al.

    Neuroscience

    (1991)
  • B. Gao

    Neuroscience

    (1993)
  • B. Gao et al.

    Neuroscience

    (1995)
  • W. Yang et al.

    FEBS Lett.

    (1994)
  • A.A. Hicks

    Genomics

    (1994)
  • V.J. Buckle

    Neuron

    (1989)
  • J. Wagstaff et al.

    Genomics

    (1991)
  • V. Greger

    Genomics

    (1995)
  • P.R. Schofield

    Nature

    (1987)
  • D.B. Pritchett

    Nature

    (1989)
  • M.J. Duggan et al.

    J. Neurochem.

    (1991)
  • L.P. Fernando

    J. Neurochem.

    (1995)
  • Cited by (1096)

    • GABRB2, a key player in neuropsychiatric disorders and beyond

      2022, Gene
      Citation Excerpt :

      Amino acid residues of TM2 from each subunit contribute to the ion channel. The most abundant subtype accounting for 43% of all GABAA receptors in the adult brain displays γβαβα subunit arrangement in an anti-clockwise direction (Fig. 1B) (Baumann et al., 2002; Cheng et al., 2009; Hirose, 2014; McCracken et al., 2010; McKernan and Whiting, 1996). The γ subunit-containing GABAA receptors ensure a phasic inhibition at the postsynaptic sites whereas the δ subunit-containing ones sustain tonic inhibition at the extrasynaptic sites (Hartiadi et al., 2016; Hirose, 2014; Wei et al., 2003).

    View all citing articles on Scopus
    1

    Ruth M. McKernan and Paul J. Whiting are at the Dept of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Neuroscience Research Centre, Merck Sharp and Dohme Research Laboratories, Terlings Park, Eastwick Rd, Harlow, Essex, UK CM20 2QR.

    View full text